I think the bottom line is that you need to meet people where they’re at. I understand the part about audio issues and I feel like it’s exasperated because of the low audio quality from mobile phones or earbuds. At work, I really have to work at hearing people who use airbuds, especially if they’re male Indians.
Conversely, I will read a well-written email or text and to the thing that it’s saying, then get a reply that I did it all wrong and realize that I completely misunderstood it. I read it again and then my original reply and can’t figure out how I got it all wrong. If they tell me something, however, I’ll remember it completely and accurately. Also, I have to write everything down in order to remember, but I never need to look at my notes. I must have some loose wires.
This used to be common in “the olden days” in rural America. I remembered the school nurse would hand out the fluoride rinse to students who’s families signed up for it. I remember thonking that they were all the rich kids who’s families could afford the $5/year for their fancy oral hygiene. Well who’s laughing now? I’ve got the most expensive teeth after all my fillings, crowns, root canals and dental surgeries!
Yeah, i’m leaving all the grammatical errors in there; it better illustrates my point.