Communication

Question:

I am at the point where I am not dating, but I am reconnecting with people I feel like I could have platonic friendships with. Someone I used to chat with here and there asked me to go for a drink and vent about life in general. The person is very nice and I would love to chat, the problem is although I can understand them via text, I have to ask several times to repeat what they said in person or over the phone. I feel like that is really rude, do you have any tips on better understanding someone with a heavy accent? Can I ask them to speak slower? If I miss something in conversation should I ignore it and keep moving along? I am embarrassed to keep saying repeat that or say it again.

Thanks

I don't know why it might be that it's easier to text....and someone else is shy or intimidating in person..at least there's some communication skills. Haha.