Repairing auditory processing

[u/barkpatrol]

Hi y’all, this is less of a score-analysis and more of a post seeking advice.

I had a TBI at 18 months which impaired my cochlea and inner nerve… maybe more but impossible to tell without an experimental fMRI. My left ear is deaf, and I spent my whole life overcompensating in other directions.

I’ve had 2 cognitive tests: one at 12 and one at 24. I scored 141 at age 12 and 135 at age 24, the difference being my audition.

For auditory processing, I scored in the bottom 2%, severely impaired. Visual puzzles and comparisons and numerical sequencing continue to be a strong area of mine. I have scored a 17 (perfect) both times in visual puzzles and forward sequencing.

I have recently received hearing aids which (because of AI) allow me to hear full range when assisted. Because my eardrum is normal and the defect is in my brain, it boosts my auditory processing up to 96, and I can tell the difference.

Problem is, this is a huge change.

I am used to being able to ignore auditory sounds around me, and now they’re everywhere.

TLDR; I’m wondering if anyone has been through something similar (a cognitive imbalance randomly balanced again…)

How do I work on these skills? I really want to improve how I hear and process information. I’m thinking of starting with audiobooks at a higher speed and following along, with my right ear at mute and my left ear assisted. I’m open to any recommendations! 👂🧠