One from my Quora post bag...
I'm proven to have almost perfect hearing. However, while being in a noisy environment (i.e. music playing, car traffic, or any other background), I can hardly hear human speech properly (not a problem for other peers, though). What's my problem?
If the ears are working and sending signals correctly, then you may have a processing disorder. Understanding speech is a complicated process from start to finish, and hearing is just the start of it. Processing speech happens in the brain and we get worse at it as we age. It tends to go hand in hand with hearing loss, mainly because we get both as we age, but also because sensorineural hearing loss makes sounds ‘blurry’ as well as quieter.
A problem with processing speech in the absence of a hearing loss requires specialist audiological and/or neurological testing and different interventions than simply amplifying sound (brain training with listening exercises is a ‘thing’ now). Start with a GP if it’s causing you difficulties in day to day life and see what options are available to you.
Meanwhile, try sitting/standing with your back to the corner when you go out. It will really help with cutting down background noise interference and make it easier to focus on speech.