What term is used for difficulty understanding spoken or written words?

The term "receptive aphasia" refers specifically to the difficulty in understanding spoken or written language. Individuals with receptive aphasia often struggle to comprehend what others are saying or find it challenging to interpret written text. This condition arises when there is damage to the areas of the brain responsible for processing language, primarily located in the left hemisphere for most individuals.

In contrast, expressive aphasia refers to difficulty in expressing thoughts through speech or writing, which is not applicable to difficulties of comprehension. Dysphagia relates to swallowing difficulties, and microorganisms are a broad category covering tiny living organisms that can include bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Thus, the defining characteristics and the context of receptive aphasia make it the correct terminology for someone encountering challenges with language understanding.