lipreading

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When I talk to people, I tend to fixate on their mouths rather than their eyes. I feel like I'm watching their mouth, and end up paying more attention to their moving lips than what they are saying. the more I try not to pay attention, the more uncomfortable I get, and I end up not being able to listen to what they say altogether. Does anybody else have this? I feel like everybody must lipread to some extent, and maybe I'm just crazy. It's weird though - when I'm talking with someone that I'm comfortable with, or I am really interested or excited, I can look them right in the eyes for seconds on end.

Heh, I do that a lot. But I trick my therapist by doing that.

I do this, but I try not to. I have always had to fight this urge to stare at a person's mouth instead of their eyes. Looking into eyes, I find I can become nervous. Even if it is family and friends. But looking at mouths I find I listen much better and I am more at ease. If multiple people are talking, or the environment is distracting (LOUD NOISES) especially.

But I think some people do not appreciate it or they can misunderstand. One time a girl asked me why I was staring at her boobs. But that was when I was young, in school, so maybe she wanted to just embarrass me somehow. Other than that, no one has really objected to where my eyes may wander. I also move my eyes around a lot when thinking or talking, it helps me speak like I am sure gestures help others when conversing.

I used to have to lip read to know what was going on in a conversation. Had tubes in my ears around 4 or so if I remember right. I feel like I've lost a lot of it now, but I still do it from time to time if I can't hear well enough. My hearing has gotten frighteningly good though, so most of the time i just use my ears. Still doesn't mean I'll be looking at their eyes, most likely not looking at the person to begin with. Most I do is a couple glances during the conversation to make sure they know I am paying attention even if it doesn't seem like it. That used to be a pain as well.

Ther is a tendency for speech to turn to gobbledygook in my mind, especially if there's background noise and especially if it's other people talking. This is greatly reduced if the speaker and I look directly at each other.

I read lips, but only if I know what the person is going to say in advance.

There was a contestant on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" back when Regis Philbin was the host. He was deaf, but he could not play the telephone game at the time in order to get on the show. On top of that, he could read lips as well!

That was terrible and a violation of the ADA as well! I do not like that at all!

Are you uncomfortable looking people in their eyes when you talk? It could be anxiety that causes you to stare at their lips.

I'm not sure if anyone would take those factors into account.