If you listen with a purpose you will find that they will work. It's like asking directions in another country that you are visiting if you know where you want to go then the verbal instructions will make much more sense than if you just ask what's good.
The paraliminals are designed so that you cannot really understand everything that is being said, the non conscious mind does. If you can understand the written language and have some skill for the verbal language you will be fine because the nonconscious mind learns a lot faster than the conscious mind.
Listen with a purpose and a possible side benefit; an improved ability to understand spoken English. Repetition is good for that 
Alex
