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Auditory Processing Disorder

Definition and Prevalence of Auditory Processing Disorder

It has been estimated that at least 2-3% of children may have Auditory Processing Disorder (Chermak & Musiak, 1997). APD is a condition in which individuals struggle to understand what they hear, despite normal or near normal hearing of soft sounds. APD is sometimes referred to as Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) due to the brain's involvement, and is thought to be a possible cause of language-related learning difficulties in children around the world.

Many children with APD present with one ear performing considerably better than the other. This is often known as "amblyaudia" or "lazy ear" or a "right-ear advantage," a common finding in children with developmental delays or learning differences, as the right ear is better connected to the language area of the brain.

Common Symptoms of APD include:

Other Symptoms of APD

The "Fallout" of APD

The above symptoms are some of the most common primary symptoms of APD. However, these are not an all-inclusive list and it should be noted that they do not take the secondary symptoms into account. It is not uncommon that, in addition to these primary symptoms of APD, these individuals may have considerable difficulties with mood, social skills, and behavior. Children with this disorder are often diagnosed as having multiple challenges, including (but not limited to) Attention Deficit Disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADD-Inattentive Type or ADHD), Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), or Autism / Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Dyslexia is likely the most common co-diagnosis with APD. In fact, in a recent study, 94% of children with APD were shown to also have a language and/or reading disorder (Sharma, Purdy & Kelly, 2009).

In considering the multi-faceted nature of APD, it is often quite a challenge to differentiate between problems potentially stemming from APD vs. other causes - and that is a good reason to consider a comprehensive approach in diagnosis. Ideally, children and adults with complex histories require multiple evaluations between cooperating professionals.

Diagnosing APD

Conventional hearing testing, that is testing of the ability to hear soft tones and to understand speech in quiet, cannot be used to identify APD in children or adults. Rather, the diagnosis of APD requires a more extensive battery of evaluations. Generally, these tests include measurements of how well the individual can hear speech in the presence of noise, tests of rapidly presented or degraded speech, the ability to clearly hear and integrate sound coming from both ears simultaneously, auditory memory measurements, as well as other psychoeducational testing including cognitive testing and evaluations of phonological (speech sound) awareness related to reading, writing, and spelling.

Common Causes of APD

APD is thought to arise from a variety of other conditions. The most common are thought to be: (1) a history of ongoing or recurrent otitis media (middle ear infections), a condition which may result in auditory deprivation over time; (2) heredity, as often children with APD have parents with similar difficulties (often presenting as dyslexia); and (3) birth trauma or prenatal factors that may have resulted in developmental delays.

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Sound Sense | auditory & sensory processing disorders

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Auditory Processing Disorder It has been estimated that at least 2-3% of children may have Auditory Processing Disorder (Chermak & Musiak, 1997). APD is a condition in which individuals struggle to understand what they hear, despite normal or near normal hearing of soft sounds.

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Find out about auditory processing disorder, a condition where you have difficulty understanding sounds including spoken words.

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Auditory Processing | Granite Bay Speech

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Found on Google from granitebayspeech.com

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American Academy of Audiology. (2008, April). Remote microphone hearing assistance technologies for children and youth from birth to 21 years [Clinical Practice Guidelines; updated in April 2011]. Retrieved from https://audiology-web.s3.amazonaws.com/migrated/HAT_Guidelines_Supplement_A.pdf_53996ef7758497.54419000.pdf [PDF]. American Academy of Audiology. (2010, August). Diagnosis, treatment and management of children and adults with central auditory processing disorder [Clinical Practice Guidelines].

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Walk with a Doc: Auditory Processing Disorder

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Auditory processing disorder (APD) - Symptoms and Causes

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Overview

Auditory processing disorder, also called APD, is a type of hearing loss caused by something affecting the part of the brain that processes how you hear. Ear damage causes other types of hearing loss.

APD is also sometimes called central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). It can happen in anyone. But it most often happens in children and older adults.

Many conditions can affect how well a person understands what they hear, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism. But these conditions are different from auditory processing disorder, although they can appear with APD. APD also can happen with other types of hearing loss.

Auditory processing disorder has no cure. But treatments can help you hear better.

Symptoms

Symptoms of auditory processing disorder (APD) can be subtle. Symptoms can include having trouble with:

Telling where sound is coming from.

Understanding words that are spoken quickly or in a noisy room.

Paying attention.

Reading and spelling.

Following directions unless they are short and simple.

Learning a new language.

Singing or enjoying music.

Understanding and remembering spoken information.

If you have APD, you also might:

Take longer to reply to someone who is talking to you.

Often need others to repeat themselves.

Not understand sarcasm or jokes.

APD is often seen with attention, language and learning issues like those seen in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.

When to see a doctor

If you have trouble hearing or understanding what you hear, talk to a health care professional.

Causes

The cause of auditory processing disorder (APD) is sometimes unknown. APD can be linked to many conditions. In older adults, conditions might include stroke and head trauma. In children, APD can be linked to issues at birth, such as low birth weight or early birth, or repeated ear infections.

In typical hearing, the brain's auditory center takes the sound waves sent from the ears and turns them into sounds you know. But with auditory processing disorder (APD), the auditory part of the brain can't do this.

Risk factors

Factors that increase your risk of auditory processing disorder (APD) include:

Aging.

Stroke.

Head trauma.

Lead poisoning.

Seizure disorders.

Issues linked to birth, such as an early birth, low birth weight or a pregnant person using alcohol, drugs or tobacco.

Repeated ear infections, especially at a young age.

Complications

Auditory processing disorder (APD) complications include:

Trouble understanding what people are saying.

Trouble taking part in activities.

Feeling isolated and lonely.

Trouble reading and writing, in children.

Trouble doing well in school.

Feeling depressed.

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Auditory processing disorder (APD) - Symptoms and causes

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This type of hearing loss involves the brain. Learn about ways that can help people with the condition hear better.

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Symptoms of APD in Preschool and Kindergarten - Auditory Processing Center

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If auditory deficits aren't identified and managed early, they can lead to speech and language delays and academic problems. Some of the more common symptoms seen in 3-5 year old children include sound sensitivities and difficulties discriminating between speech sounds, which is often reflected in their speech.

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Auditory Processing Disorder (for Parents)

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Kids with APD can’t understand what they hear in the same way other kids do. That’s because their ears and brain don’t fully coordinate. But early diagnosis and a variety of strategies can help them.

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Auditory Processing & Our 5 Favorite Activities

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Strategy for Teaching Students with Processing Disorders How to Read

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Symptoms of APD in Elementary School Children - Auditory Processing Center

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In elementary school children, challenges in reading and comprehension may emerge. Identifying auditory processing deficits can prevent underachievement and associated social and behavioral problems.