Is it normal to struggle to hear almost anyone on the phone?

You are going deaf.

same!! and it has not to do with the volume either, it's just the way the sound is so like.. saturated or something. I just go along with things they way i hear them and the person usually repeats themself w/o being asked. I never really thought of it but it's harder for me to understand people w/o seeing them too. when i dont wear my glasses i have the same problem of not being able to "hear" people.. its weird.

No, definitely NOT normal, but easily fixed!
Go get yourself fitted for some hearing aids. Simple, easy and cheaper than losing your job. Do it tomorrow!

I get where you're coming from

Are you def or something. Without body language and tone you get Dun dun dun WORDS! If they say "I have a cat" assume they have a cat. A 6 year old could probably figure this out. "Yes, you may eat a cookie" means "Yes, you may eat a cookie". If you really cant interpret that you have comprehension issues. Though you clearly have no comprehension skills so you probably wont be able to read this.

I rarely if ever talk to people on the phone because I have a phobia. I have noticed that the times that I have talked on them, that I have had issues with being able to understand what is being said.

I've noticed that the phone has the ability to warp people's voices in a way that differs from the way that they normally speak. This difference can make it hard to understand what is being said. I've also noticed that sometimes the person on the other end speaks too LOUD or too soft, which further make the conversation difficult to understand. It is normal to me. But, I think you should precede with caution and take thegypsysailor's advice on getting your hearing checked.

I have trouble understanding people on the phone too. I also have trouble hearing people talking in another room or with background noise. I don't know if its normal or not. There's nothing wrong with my ears but I do have sensory processing trouble.

Lol I struggle with this as well. Answering phones can be intimidating. Calm down and really listen to what they are saying. You can pause or sometimes I put them on hold so i can transfer what they said to me on a post it. Just take your time. If you have to ask for them to repeat themselves a few times its ok, some people just talk extremely fast and don't realize how hard they are to understand.