

It can also affect adults with similar symptoms as children.Ĭentral Auditory Processing is an umbrella term that refers to how well our brains and ears use auditory information to inform us about the sounds in our world. For others, therapeutic activities, or directed therapy, specific to the disorder may be recommended.What is Central Auditory Processing Disorder?Ĭentral Auditory Processing Disorder is a hearing problem thought to affect about 5% of school-aged children in Australia. For some, simple modifications in the environment may be sufficient. If you or your child are diagnosed with APD, you will return for a consultation to discuss appropriate recommendations which include therapy and/or strategies.

Most individuals feel a sense of relief knowing why they or their child are struggling with hearing. To date, there are no medications or specific procedure which “cure” the symptoms of APD. The next step, and most important, is translating this into helpful information with regard to patient management. Test results for both types of tests are compared to normative data and a profile evolves telling us which communication skills and auditory neural function(s) are normal or abnormal for a given age. These include certain disease processes such a multiple sclerosis, vascular disease, strokes, hearing injuries and tumors can cause a significant reduction in the ability to process sound. Adults with auditory complaints (yet have normal hearing) can more frequently have known etiologies to their abnormalities.

Specific causes related to injury or disease in children are rare. Under consideration as well is the possibility of subtle structural and/or biochemical differences in the brain which may cause a more disorganized neural relay system. We suspect delays are associated with subtle neurologic maturational delays. We do know that APD does sometimes run in families.

Trouble relating sounds to their letters.ĪPD testing is a way of evaluating the auditory pathways which are central to the ear.Significant difficulties with reading, writing and/or spelling.Easily distractible and restless in listening situation.Generally poor listening skills /decreased attention for auditory information.Trouble determining where sounds are coming from.Difficulty following auditory directions.Responds inconsistently to auditory stimuli.Although symptoms vary, some symptoms that may be seen in the general population are: decide if an APD evaluation is warranted. What are the symptoms of APD?ĪPD is NOT diagnosed based on behavioral symptoms alone, but some behavioral symptoms may help Harbor Audiology & Hearing Services Inc. People with APD may have difficulty localizing sounds, discriminating speech and/or remembering information that is presented in an auditory manner. Individuals with APD may do well in ideal listening situations (such as in a quiet room), but they have difficulties when there is any distortion of the speech signal (background noise, competing messages, ect). In simple terms, this means that the ear works fine, but the brain cannot process what it hears. An auditory processing disorder (APD), also known as a central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) occurs when children, adolescents and adults have trouble processing what they hear despite having normal hearing sensitivity.
