Can you read and listen at the same time?

r/

Even if I’m reading the exact words that are being spoken, I cannot process it unless I read it silently. For example, if a quiz has an audio reading out the questions, I have to read it again myself when the audio stops to process the question. It makes me feel so slow and dumb.

When I’m talking with someone I can pay attention well enough and I love reading, but I can’t put the two together. Is this a practiced ability or are some people just crazy fast at processing information?

Comments

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  2. babystripper Avatar

    No. It’s not possible

  3. LowBalance4404 Avatar

    Yes, actually. I can also listen to two conversations at the same time. I’ve always thought it had something to do with my epilepsy. When I listen to two conversations, the secondary one is like it’s available on playback. It’s hard to explain, but I can be focused on the initial conversation, hear the second one, pause for a second and then chime in to that conversation. Growing up, it drove my mother nuts. At work, it’s come in handy quite frequently.

  4. pvssiprincess Avatar

    Yes, you do this with subtitles on a movie

  5. masterP168 Avatar

    no, I can’t. it’s hard enough for me to read anything and understand what I’m reading. I failed university because I couldn’t read 3 novels a week like everyone else

    I don’t have the brain for it