Over the past year, I have been going through a painfully slow process of having tests and results to try and find out what is wrong with my hearing. I seem to suffer the inverse of “cocktail party syndrome” and when in a room with too much background noise – I effectively end up deaf.
The first series of tests and reports from doctors couldn’t find anything physically wrong, and the last doctor I saw agreed to refer me further after I pointed out that the graphs/MRI may say nothing is wrong but there most certainly is a problem.
In actual fact, it seems that I have excellent hearing in physical terms – but I just can’t hear people when there is too much background babble – it all merges into a white noise and I can’t isolate the person standing next to me from the background noise.
Anyhow, yesterday I went for the referral which is basically the final point to go – and at last – someone has identified a problem.
I’ve persisted in trying to get this resolved one way or the other as it is an incredible social handicap. I can’t hear people in even the most ordinary of pubs and trying to go to a music venue is frankly pointless. When standing in a group of friends, I often drift to the edge and just stand there bored silly waiting for a suitable excuse to go home. Indeed, I have been told off for doing that – even though it is frankly the only thing I can do in the circumstances.
It can be somewhat depressing at times, and as a single chap it would be nice to be able to approach people without the worry that I might spend the whole evening saying “pardon” to every other sentence!
Despite the tests showing very good hearing, I do have a slight drop off at the high frequencies, and although not that serious – it does explain the problem I have – which has been termed Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). Apparently this issue was first diagnosed about 40 years ago, and while no one is really sure what causes it, it is thought to affect up to 10% of the adult population and is not generally age related.
Also, alas – there is no cure.
There are treatments of sorts – but they are more based around learning to live with the issue than actually treated it in the usual means.
Many people with this issue report one side is worse than the other – and I do sit to the left of people where possible as my left side is worse (that showed up in the graphs), but it seems that I should try to face the person as I need more visual clues to help fill in the missing detail in the speech. I was once accused of lip-reading when people talk to me, and what was an unconscious act may have to become something I practice more proactively in future.
There are a few other ideas, but mainly – I just need to avoid noisy environments.
Alas, as most social environments tend to be quite noisy (even when the music is turned down), this will prove to be difficult.
So, at the end of the road as far as hearing tests are concerned, and while there is nothing that can be done medically to help – at least I know there is an identifiable problem and it is not just my imagination that all this is happening.
It is a relief to know I am not alone in this – even if there isn’t a huge amount that can be done about it.
Ah ha! I didn’t realise it has a name.
I had a series of tests about 10 years ago, with the final diagnosis of “Obscure Auditory Dysfunction”, which I took to mean “not a clue, sorry”.
I sympathise – I find social events in the evening quite awkward.
Bless you! I have it too, it’s such a relief to be able put a name to it and know that you are not going completely barking. As a child I used to liken myself to Enid Blyton’s Tin Pan Man in the Magic Faraway Tree as I would always hear conversations incorrectly and get the wrong end of the stick.
Strangely, I quite enjoy it now. I am just very up front about it and make sure that people look at me when they are talking as it seems that I have ‘learnt to lip read’ as a result of a life-time of being a little out of it. If you take it with a bit of humour, I ‘create’ some strange conversations, so I just tell people what I thought I heard and have a laugh about it.
It’s never going to go, so I am learning to love it.
Sorry to hear there’s nothing more that can be done.
Trying to put a positive spin on things, my eyes are drawn to the claim that up to 10% of the adult population suffer from this condition to some degree.
If you have struggled to put a name to it and to identify workable techniques for dealing with it, we can assume almost everybody else will have failed, too.
Some well-chosen keywords driving traffic to a well-designed website full of advice may well prove lucrative…
I also can’t help thinking that a book called “how to hold a conversation in a noisy room” would sell quite a few copies :-)
Trust you to see a financial angle in my suffering ;)
Hello Ian, Came across your site by way of Diamond Geezer, and like your photos and observations, although I don’t usually comment. I am partially deaf (discovered at age 58, after suffering for about 5 years) and even with my super duper NHS hearing aids, find it virtually impossible to follow a conversation at a party or gathering if it’s noisy. I usually just nod and smile and say ‘Oh Yes’ a lot and people think I’m being attentive and a good listener. It’s a nuisance, but you get used to it.
Hi
Really enjoyed reading about your hearing problem – I have had the exact same problems for years and recently succumbed to having a hearing test – I was amazed to be told that my hearing was “perfectly normal” and that my symptoms were classic obscure auditory dysfunction – and that nothing could be done to help – so I googled this and read all about it – I also stumbled on your blog – it made me chuckle to hear about someone else using the same tactics as myself for social events (which I normally try to avoid) – I am lucky that I am married (for the last 37 years) – she talked me into going for the hearing test and still thinks I am deaf as a post.
All the best for the future
I can’t personally relate to what you went through, but my uncle had Otitis Media, but because his primary physician didn’t diagnosis it correctly (told him to use some ear drops and come back in 2 weeks if it persists) and use a correct treatment, he eventually lost his hearing. I’m glad that you brought up APD though: I have met some people with this ailment while going to some of my uncle’s ENT physician appointments. This would shed in some light to those who may be living with some of the symptoms and don’t even realize it.
I have the same problem and as a result I have recently had a few issues at work recently. Luckily I am married but this only came about because my wife did not speak a word of English when we first met!
I do not go out to any crowded events, I can cope for an hour but after that I just can’t deal with it anymore and like you – I just want to go home.
I am OK on a one to one basis, but get me in a crowd and it’s just not good.
I was a year behind at School and bottom of the C stream and was forecast to get zero O’Levels – at a private school! So I told my House Master that I would not attend any classes in my final term and that I would work on my own.
Presto – I got 7 O’Levels and nobody could believe it. If I knew that I had a problem I could of got 20 O’Levels at a breeze.
My Father was an excellent Opthalmic Surgeon, I now know that if I did not have this condition, I could have been a Doctor or god knows what. I’ve not done bad but it took me until I was 24 before I even understood that people could hear others talking two rows down the table or across the room. I had no idea I had a real problem or at least I could not identify the cause. I have had my hearing tested and guess what I am normal – you think!
i have just found out that i have oad. Im 21 and have no clue how to deal with what i’ve got. Im not one to to give up so was wondering if anyone can offer me any suggestions
Hi, I have also only just been diagnosed with OAD. I am very glad there is no physical problem with my hearing and also that the problem isn’t ‘in my head’ – but is ‘in my head’ if you see what I mean. The consultant I saw was very nice, explained the condition, said it was fairly normal and I wouldn’t be the only person he would see that afternoon with this condition. He said he could refer me to an audiologist who specialises in this condition. I said he might as well but knowing that there is no cure as such. I think this explains a lot about my personality and helps me understand things, like at work we often have the radio on and I feel ‘out of the loop’ when co-workers are gossiping / talking and am seen as a bit of a loner, now it’s obvious it’s not that im not interested I just can’t hear what people are saying to respond!
I have suffered fom this problem for as long as I can remember. It is a real social handicap and so frustrating because I like to be out with friends etc. I had a hearing test some fifteen years ago and it was found that my hearing was excellent and they never really sorted out what it was. Decided to have another crack and this week went to hospital for a hearing test. Result – hearing is well above average across all frequencies and I was told that I may well have ADP (auditory processing disorder) – apparently they can give you therapy (learning listening skills which help you to filter out the background noise I think) and I was given a letter to take back to my GP for the possibility of another referral for this. I’m not sure about this though – learning how to listen sounds a bit weird!!
The main text above made me smile because it is so familiar to me. I can find it very embarrasing with new people in noisy backgrounds because they basically just think you are an idiot. Even with people who understand your problem it can become annoying for both of you – who wants to have a conversation that is such an effort? Also sometimes have problems if using the telephone and with accents as well!
Maybe people with APD could form there own group – can you imagine what the social events would be like!!
Hi!
I`m 25 years old and I’ve had the same problem as you guys for as long as I can remember. All the hearing tests I’ve take say that I have perfect hearing, still I have problems understanding what people are saying whenever there’s background noise. That is really frustrating. I always hoped that it was just my imagination, as the tests never indicated a problem.
Recently I took another test, where they tested my understanding of spoken sentences in background noise. Now I finally have official confirmation that despite perfect hearing I have problems understanding speech in background noise. Now I at least know that it was not just my imagination all those years. Unfortunately there seems to be nothing I can do to improve my speech-hearing ability. That really sucks. So I will have to continue trying not to get so frustrated whenever I don’t understand what people are saying at parties, in the cafeteria, in the subway, etc. :(
I too have this condition, and while I’m sorry to hear that you suffer from it, I’m secretly glad someone else knows my pain! I have few friends, as like you said, there is little point in going to pubs and clubs, where unfortunately most people my age (22) socialize.
Like a few other people have said on here, I apparently have perfect hearing, I just can’t hear what people say! I think unless you have a condition like this it’s difficult to understand just how debilitating it is, as it affects absolutely everything you do. In fact, just this morning I went to a doctor because I thought it was getting worse, and was told to ‘get on with my life and stop wasting everybody’s time.’ Most unhelpful.
Anyway, just wanted to say thank you for letting me know I’m not alone.
Hi all. I’m an audiologist from South Africa and am surprised at how few professionals seem to know about OAD. I have known and worked with it for 17 years. To give you all hope: modern hearing instruments with directional microphone technology offer signal in noise ratio benefits, even if set at very low levels of amplification (particularly important with normal hearing thresholds. In addition, fm systems, which can be worn on the ear and offer a separate microphone that can be placed in the middle o a table of close friends, may allow people with OAD to minimise noise in a party or restaurant. It isn’t a perfect solution socially, but since sufferers cannot participate in a group, it offers an alternative to being left out entirely.
I have been reading about ‘new’ digital hearing aids. apparently they can turn down the volume of background noise, and amplify primary noise e.g. conversation. perhaps this could help?
After all these years I’ve finally found out what is wrong with me! I’ve had some really bad times and very unsuccessful dates because of this problem, I just can’t catch what people are saying and ended up looking a right idiot if I nod or smile at the wrong moment :0( Hey ho. Maybe other people arent that interesting anyway and no cheezy chat up lines, On the upside I now belong to an exclusive 10% of the population :0D
Thank you! I’ve had a problem all my life with this. I’m now 49. I have the same problem of not being able to communicate in noisy environments or with background music or talking. Also I often can’t hear the words in songs or during films. I’m afraid I also have problems with accents of all kinds. I had to ask a waitress in a cafe to repeat herself several times this week. You feel such a fool. I am so, so glad it’s real, I thought it was just me! I’m sorry that you all have the same problem though.
I’m 57 yrs old and for as long as I can remember,I have struggled having conversations and understanding things as soon as I’ve been told,(i’m ok if given the chance to digest the information ) but was only diagnosed with OAD about 6 yrs ago after constantly being told to “go and get your ears syringed “or “are you deaf”.or “the light’s on but nobodys in”.Well,after a series of tests at my local hearing therapy unit,I found out that not only had I got “exceptional” hearing but I had also got a brain dysfunction (OAD) that affected my ability to process information.
At last an answer as to why I had struggled for years.My hearing therapist told me that if people knew I had a brain disorder then the onus was on them to make sure I could hear what was being said.I still struggle but at least I know that there is a problem and feel much more confident nowadays.
I have had this problem since my early twenties. I always have to have people repeat themselves, just like people who hear a word that they understand, which indicates to some that you are an idiot. Well, I am not an idiot, I just have problem understanding intelligent people when they don’t enunciate! Recently, I took my daughter and her friends to a Justin Beiber concert. Bad idea. I only knew 1 of his songs anyway, but I honestly did not hear 1 single word that he or Usher said all night long and that is because of the constant scream of thousands of little girls. Today, and why I decided enough is enough, I was watching “Ghost”. A movie I have seen a hundred times, yet could’t make out what was being said because of the background music. And of course, when I turn up the volume, it also increases the background music, therefore, not helping. So I googled and read and read, diagnosed myself with Auditory Processing Disorder/Cocktail Party Syndrom and found out there is no cure, only things to try. Here is a quote from a site that I found that makes sense and am going to try. I send u this with an ear plug in my right ear… hope this helps someone else too. I also included the site info at the end.
“What is the most common finding in persons with APD?
All humans are slightly asymmetric. We have a stronger hand, a stronger eye and a stronger ear. For most, it is usually the right ear that dominates our auditory processing. This doesn’t mean that the left ear is weak, but it means that the left ear doesn’t perform at the same level as the right ear. Many children and adults with APD have a significantly larger difference between performance in the two ears than is seen in normal listeners. There is still a great deal to learn about these differenced, but some benefits have been found when training programs are focused on facilitating listening behavior in the weaker left ear. Listeners with larger than normal difference between the two ears are less likely to benefit from an assistive listening device (which serves only to make the differences louder). Training programs need to be developed that will train the ears to work more equally so that the degree of asymmetry can approach normal levels. ”
reference: http://www.audiologyawareness.com/hearinfo_apd.asp
Shannon
Today I visited the hospital and saw an audiologist who told me my problem. Yes I do have age-related hearing loss, in my left ear, so he told me today.Its not at the point where I need a hearing aid yet, but this fantastic audiologist told me that I suffer fron Obscure Auditory Dysfunction. He says I am showing signs of early cochlear damage, which is a problem with OAD. He said the best thing to do is to make people aware that I have a hearing problem. I have difficulty understanding someone if they are walking in front of me, even if I am listening to someone i miss part of the sentence. If I am in one room and someone else is in another, I struggle to understand what they say. So now I have to say to people to talk to me face to face, if they are in another room, to come to where I am and speak to me face to face. When I speak to people on the phone there are times when I get frustrated because I have to keep asking them to repeat what they said.
Its true what they audiologist said to me today if we need glasses to see, we use them, because we need them. He gave me a handout about OAD. It explains about OAD, how people can be affected, how sound travels through the ear etc. There is also something called Hearing Therapy. It can involve all or some of the following: communication tactics, coping techniques when communication breaks down, assertiveness training, memory exercises, auditory training in background noise, counselling – explanantion of condition, expectations and demands of self, confidence building and relaxation. I panic in a room with lots of people, but now I will be more assertive and say to someone to speak to me face to face. To sit at the front of the room etc.
I hope this helps someone else.