Originally Posted by SAHM
In general, does he hear you well at home? Any issues paying attention in class? He certainly sounds gifted when you describe what he can do with written instructions. Might be a hearing issue. Should be pretty easy to have his ears checked at a well visit at the pediatrician and I'd expect it to be covered by medical insurance.
If your going for a hearing test make sure the test is done by a profesional. My older brother had hearing issues at 4-5 because of many ear infections but no one knew because he was smart enough to fake the screening tests. It wasn't until the doctor finally recommended a full audiology test in a sound proof room where he couldn't see the tester till they figured out he was almost deaf at the time.