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[Graknorke]

I would like to start by making it absolutely clear that I am not going deaf. My ability to hear quiet sounds hasn't diminished, even if the range of frequencies I can hear is starting to shrink because of ageing.
The issue is to do with distinguishing and understanding sounds. For example, if I'm trying to watch television and somebody else is talking or really doing much of anything I can't hear/understand the television, even if turning it up to the point where it is excessively loud. The same problem trying to hold a conversation in loud areas, I just will not be able to pick out the person's voice from the background even though they can hear me fine.

Basically, background noise completely drowns out what I'm trying to listen to, even if it's not all that loud in comparison. I'm not really sure how abnormal this is or if I should bother trying to do anything about it, since if there is any problem at all it's probably mental rather than something that can be fixed.

[XXSockXX]

I think I have that too, especially when trying to have a conversation in loud areas or when talking on a phone. I've heard it is a mild form of hearing loss, which in my case would be entirely possible since I've blasted my hearing with loud music for most of my life. It is annoying, since I spend a lot of time talking in noisy surroundings, but so far I can cope with it without seeing a doctor about it.

[LordBucket]

the range of frequencies I can hear is starting to shrink

I'm not really sure how abnormal this is

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presbycusis

[Graknorke]

the range of frequencies I can hear is starting to shrink

I'm not really sure how abnormal this is

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presbycusis

That's not the bit I was talking about. Thanks for trying I guess.

[zombie urist]

IIRC, there is a separate part of the brain for interpreting language then for processing sound. Sorry I don't know much else.

[gomez]

I have suffered from the same problem as the OP all my life. As part of my job I undertake regular hearing tests and there is nothing wrong with my hearing, in fact I can hear tones in frequencies above the range you would expect for my age.

Its just a quirk that some people have, I mean some people are colour blind but you dont see them out and about with guide dogs.

[Antsan]

I am not sure this is right but...
My father suffers from the same condition and when I learned about it I was a bit surprised to hear that this is actually a pretty common hearing problem and is the one that you get when you hear too much loud music (as opposed to not hearing anything at all).

You definitely should go to a doctor. Even if it is "mental" it may just as well be neurological. Who knows whether anyone can do anything about it? Probably a doctor.