I can relate. I have a lot of difficulty concentrating on conversations, particularly if I am distracted by doing something else, or if my husband doesn't mute the TV or look at me when speaking. I too thought it might be hearing (as did my husband).

While I am sure there is probably some hearing loss, I am convinced it is the old jello-brain clogging the information highway between ear and brain. Sometimes its just trying to follow when there is noise or I'm tired. Sometimes its the spaciness of cog-fog.

(Short story There was a day last summer (pre dx) when my husband and I were having a conversation. I said something, and it took a moment for him to respond. I looked at him and had no idea what he was talking about and said so. He explained he just answered my question. In that moment between my question and his response all memory of our conversation had disappeared from my head. That was pretty scarey and weird (and yet at the time I dismissed it).

I do too! (Now I'm responding to this thread on two different forums! Hi, Craig!)

I lose track of conversations - I'll say something, my hubby will answer, and before he's even spoken, I've forgotten what it was I said to him. Fortunately my brain is still sharp enough to pick up on the topic from what he's saying back to me, so his feelings don't get hurt. I knew it wasn't hearing - I do pretty well with selective hearing. I'm just easily distracted.

I also had a real problem with losing my own train of thought while I was speaking - to the point where it felt like somebody else was talking! I would start talking, then have no idea what I was going to say - but somewhere in my brain, the sentence was still embedded, and kept coming out. thank goodness this has slowed down - hasn't happened in a while, but I still experience flashes of it.

yes.....

You're funny Craig.
I like that.

But seriously folks, you brought up a good point. The same thing happens to me. Many times I have to ask someone to repeat what they are saying. Even then, I'm still thinking, "What the hell are you talking about"? I can tell you're talking 'cuz your lips are moving, but none of the noise that came out of your mouth made any sense.

I guess I should get my ears checked too.

Craig et al-

Same sort of issue hear (pun intended). I can get lost and twist a conversation often. What is actually said by somebody can have nothing in relation to what I "hear" them say. It can get pretty funny around home. My husband has a good laugh about it. I'll get hot at something he said; he'll ask me what I heard him say - then he tells me what actually was said in the first place. Ex: He asks Who are you rooting for, Giants or Patriots? I thought he siad You shooting the giant prostitutes? {Go Pats, BTW}

I also can loose what I am talking about midsentence. As I instruct adults this can get pretty embarassing. Sometimes I fess up and just blurt out "What was I saying? I lost my mind." Usually, I just keep babbling hoping it comes back to me. Of course, this makes me sound like an idiot It is really starting to affect my abilities to teach and be seen as a knowledgable person.

The neuro and ENT both agree this is a brain thing. ENT told me that the circuits sort of have to "re-route" to get a round micro damage and thus, things can get scrambled. They said it is common in all sorts of neuro/brain disease or damage. Right now they are really studying it what with all the TBI soldiers (unfortunately they have plenty of test subjects). Currently only can offer the regular aids for help like notes, preparation, coaching, OT and ST etc.

Jane
PS: I think my husband is starting to blame my 'egg-head' to get him out of trouble. Like last night he said "You said to pick up lettuce, not sugar!" Baloney!

forgot to mention to Craig:

hope all you need is a simple hearing aid so all will get back to normal.

ooooHHHH!!! I do that!

I swear, I will be standing FACE TO FACE, having a real conversation, and zoom, I am gone! I can see them talking, I can hear the words, but its like I am watching of movie of someone talking to me. I then become so focused on the strangness of it all, I miss what they are saying. its bizzarre! I ask them to repeat, and you know what? I still dont get it! I have to work hard to stay grounded and concentrate on what is being said. it doesnt happy everyday, but when it does it blows my mind.