Auditory Processing

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is sometimes also called Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD).
If your child is at least 5 years old we can test for APD testing.
There are a series of “red flags” which many children with APD have in common.
These include:
  • History of ear infections during critical language learning period (birth-age 3)
  • Trouble with rhyming, singing and keeping rhythm
  • Being easily distracted by background sounds
  • Frequently misunderstands what is being said
  • Difficulty following spoken directions
  • Wants to do well in school but does not know why school is so hard
  • Develops anxiety about school performance
Testing involves ruling out peripheral hearing loss or making sure the difficulty is not a result of fluid in the middle ear or a permanent loss coming from the inner ear. Both of these types of hearing loss have different treatment options than APD. APD is when the ear is doing a good job of delivering the signal but the brain is struggling to make sense of the signal. As with any learning disability, early detection and intervention is critical for best outcomes.