Phonological alexia is a type of reading disorder where individuals struggle to read unfamiliar words or non-words. This condition occurs when the brain has difficulty processing the sounds of letters and their combinations, making it hard to decode words phonetically. People with phonological alexia may rely heavily on memorized words, which limits their reading ability. Individuals with phonological alexia often read familiar words correctly but may misread or fail to read new or non-words altogether. This condition is typically associated with damage to specific areas of the brain, such as the left hemisphere, which is crucial for language processing.