Tools and strategies for treating APD could include the following: Managing APD often requires a group of professionals working in tandem, from audiologists, speech-language pathologists, teachers, and more. Treatment options are specific to each individual what works for one may not work for another. There is no quick fix or easy button for treating and managing APD. Managing and Treating Auditory Processing Disorder This is where insights from parents and teachers will be helpful when diagnosing school-aged children. In addition to auditory testing, hearing-health professionals will collect a case history by gathering details and asking various questions. However, an auditory specialist may also physically examine ear structures to rule out abnormalities. Special auditory tests that assess auditory processing function must be performed to get a conclusive diagnosis. These professionals are trained to administer hearing tests, collect auditory information, and interpret auditory data. How Is Auditory Processing Disorder Diagnosed?ĪPD requires an audiological diagnosis, meaning hearing care professionals like audiologists must make the definitive diagnosis. Some evidence suggests it could be associated with head trauma in children, chronic ear infections, or seizure disorders.Įvidence points to prenatal issues and family hereditary as well.
What Causes Auditory Processing Disorder?ĭoctors and researchers have not reached a consensus on the exact cause of APD.īut it is associated and linked with certain co-factors. The only sure way to diagnose APD is to consult with a hearing professional, such as an audiologist or related specialists. In many cases, the symptoms of APD can also be hidden by other issues or conditions, such as speech-language delays or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Since its symptoms are similar to those found in other disorders (such as autism disorder, dyslexia, etc.), APD is often misunderstood and undiagnosed.
The classroom can be extremely overwhelming for children with APD. In a classroom setting, children may have difficulty listening to the teacher’s voice and instruction instead of the background noise that fills a classroom.Ĭhildren with APD often mishear sounds and words, affecting their ability to master phonics. One can only imagine how detrimental this condition can be for children trying to function in a learning environment. According to Nemours, it affects roughly three to five percent of school-aged children. These are just a few examples of some common symptoms associated with APD.Īlthough APD can present in older adults, the condition is more prevalent in children. Difficulty participating in or following along in conversations.Trouble following multi-step or verbal directions.Difficulty understanding where words are coming from.Trouble understanding and remembering the order of sounds.Having a hard time filtering out unimportant sounds in speech.Individuals that have APD have difficulty hearing the small sound differences that are present in words.įor example, instead of hearing “pat,” they may hear the word “bat.”Īccording to the American Academy of Audiology, these are some common symptoms of auditory processing disorder: What Are the Symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder? There is a disconnect between the ears and the brain they don’t coordinate as they should. It interferes with how the brain recognizes and interprets sounds, including speech. In short, APD affects the auditory centers of the brain.
APD is also not classified as a type of learning disability. Since APD is a condition that affects hearing, most assume it is a form of hearing loss. A Closer Look at Auditory Processing DisorderĪccording to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is known by different names: Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), Auditory Perceptual Disorder, and Central Auditory Disorder. Here we take a closer look at APD and when hearing aids may be useful. Thankfully, in some cases, hearing aids are viable options to help those with APD. Unfortunately, this learning process gets halted for some people.Īuditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a condition that interferes with the hearing process, disrupting the way the brain recognizes sounds and interprets speech. Over time we learn to recognize words and associate them with their objects.īefore you know it, we speak, participate in conversations, and learn more about the world around us. We hear their words, just combinations of letter sounds, and seek to interpret them based on numerous developmental cues. From a very early age, we are hardwired to listen intently to our loved ones as they speak. The ability to hear sounds is a large part of our development.
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