Focus in convo

Wow! I’m hard of hearing and I had always thought that was why I did that. I’m glad to learn that my struggle to focus and understand during conversations is also a result of my ADHD and audio processing disorder. I’ve been caught a few times when I’ve just nodded my head and tried to match their facial expressions. They’ve usually have been understanding but I always felt ashamed and guilty. I’m trying, now, to let them know when I’m not understanding or that my focus is off when it is feasible to do.

Don’t even hear words. It’s muffled background noise. I’m too busy looking and listening to what’s going on around me.

I just zone out a lot of the time and start hearing blah blah blah

Yes! I hate feeling rude.

Oh my god I thought it was just me! Often when someone is talking to me (especially at work), I find it so hard to focus on what they’re actually telling me and it’s like there’s a buffer that won’t let information in. It’s just words and I’m nodding my head along and trying to remember to look them in the eye etc and all that social norm stuff. I get really worried people must think I’m rude. I know it’s a symptom of ADHD in some folks but sometimes I also think if it’s down to my information processing disorder (audible) as well 🤔