Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a condition that affects the way the brain processes auditory information. People with APD may have trouble understanding speech, distinguishing between similar-sounding words, or processing rapid speech. APD can make it difficult to follow conversations, learn new information, and remember what was said. APD can also impact reading and other academic skills.
There is no single cause of APD, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. APD is more common in males than females and often runs in families. It can be difficult to diagnose APD, as symptoms can vary from person to person and can be similar to other conditions such as ADHD or learning disabilities.
If you suspect you or your child has APD, it is important to see a qualified audiologist for an evaluation. With proper diagnosis and treatment, people with APD can improve their ability to process auditory information and improve their quality of life.
Auditory processing disorder (APD) is a condition that affects how the brain processes auditory information. People with APD may have difficulty understanding what they hear, or they may be unable to process and remember auditory information correctly. APD can make it difficult to follow conversations, learn new information, and complete tasks that require listening.
APD is not a hearing loss, and people with APD can hear just fine. However, they may have trouble analyzing and interpreting the sounds they hear. This can make it hard to follow directions, learn new material, or remember information from lectures. APD can also make it hard to filter out background noise and attend to the person who is speaking.
APD can affect people of all ages, but it is often first noticed in school-aged children. Children with APD may have difficulty following classroom instructions or participating in conversations with their peers. They may also appear to daydream or be easily distracted.
Ability Hearing and Balance provides comprehensive hearing and Auditory Processing testing across Tasmania for children through to adulthood. More and more, we are diagnosing previously undiagnosed CAPD cases in adults.
Our Auditory Processing Test is a comprehensive two-hour assessment designed to shed light on your child’s auditory processing abilities suitable for children 5 years and over. If you’ve noticed your child struggling in school, easily becoming distracted, or experiencing challenges in concentrating, this test may hold the key to unlocking their full potential.
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) can often go undiagnosed, leading to unnecessary frustration for both children and their parents. Our test is a crucial first step in identifying if APD is the cause of these struggles. By addressing these issues early, we can help your child overcome learning difficulties, boost their confidence, and improve their overall well-being.
Our team of accredited audiologists is dedicated to providing the highest standard of care and support throughout the testing process. We understand that every child is unique, and our tailored approach ensures that your child’s specific needs are met.
- Suitable for children 5 years and over (as well as adults)
- 2 hours in person testing at our Kingston, Rosny, Glenorchy, North Hobart, Launceston and Burnie locations
- Our Audiologist will then analyze the results and provide you with a comprehension report. APD is a complex condition and every child has a unique profile. You will get some answers about your child’s auditory processing abilities. Whether the result is an APD diagnosis or not, our Audiologist will then advise you on treatment options and/or other specialist referrals that may be necessary.
There is no single cause of APD, but it is often associated with other conditions such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and learning disabilities. While there is no cure for APD, specialized therapy can help people manage the condition and improve their ability to communicate and function in everyday life.
There are many signs and symptoms associated with APD. Some people with APD may have difficulty understanding spoken or written language. They may also have trouble with reading comprehension and may be unable to follow directions. Additionally, people with APD may have trouble with organization and planning and may be easily distracted by noise or other activities.
Approximately 5% of school-aged children have APD. Because APD is a neurological disorder, it can be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms of APD include difficulty understanding and processing spoken language, problems with short-term memory, and difficulty following instructions. Although there is no cure for APD early intervention and auditory training can help children with APD improve their communication skills and succeed in school. Some children also benefit from being fitted with classroom amplification systems.
Our Auditory Processing Training program may be the “magic wand” you’ve been looking for to help your child catch up with their classmates or feel more calm and focused in the classroom. From the test, 40% of our patients have continued through to complete the program. Out of those, 80% have noted significant improvements as a result including increased confidence in the classroom and that they find it easier to focus in the classroom environment. The training program is game-based so engaging and fun for kids and not a drag. Just set them up and away you go. Their results are fed back to us through the software giving us what we need to tweak the program remotely to continue to support growth and development and improvements.
- 3-month commitment to see results.
- Just 30 minutes of fun, engaging online gaming 5 nights a week at home.
- Results that have been described to us have been
- Increased confidence
- Finding it easier to listen in class and focus
- Not being as easily distracted
- Learning improvements due to the right information being clearly understood faster
- From $110 (inclusive of GST) per week
There are many potential causes of poor auditory processing. One possibility is that the person has difficulty understanding spoken language due to hearing impairment. For this reason, a hearing test is mandatory during an APD assessment.
We need to rule out the possibility of hearing loss in a child who has different treatment options than APD. It is possible for a child to have both a hearing impairment and a processing disorder but generally, a hearing test is the first place to start.
Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)
Central auditory processing (CAP) is the ability of the brain to interpret, store and use information that is heard. It is a complex process that occurs in several areas of the brain, including the auditory cortex. CAP develops throughout childhood and into adolescence, reaching full maturity by adulthood.
During early childhood, CAP develops rapidly as the brain matures and becomes more efficient at processing information. This improvement continues into adolescence, with CAP becoming fully developed by adulthood. Several factors can influence the development of CAP, including genetic factors, exposure to noise, and language development.
CAP plays an important role in everyday life, affecting how we interpret and understand speech. It is also important for academic success, as it can impact reading and learning. Individuals with poor CAP may struggle with tasks that require listening skills, such as following directions or paying attention in class. If you think you or your child may have a problem with auditory processing, contact us to book in with our audiology specialists.
Another possible cause of APD is a cognitive impairment that affects the child’s ability to process information.
What is Auditory Memory?
Auditory memory is the ability to remember information that has been presented orally. This includes being able to remember spoken words, melodies, and other sounds.
It is important for auditory memory to be well-developed in order for a person to be able to remember things like phone numbers, directions, and conversations.
There are a number of things that can impact auditory memory, such as how well the information was presented, how interesting it was, and how much attention was paid to it.
Additionally, some people are naturally better at auditory memory than others. There are a number of ways to improve auditory memory, such as using devices, listening to music, and engaging in listening activities.
Our APD testing protocol
Ability Hearing and Balance is a Tasmanian local clinic built on trust and reputation. As parents of school-aged children ourselves, we understand that an APD diagnosis is only the first step in support. For us, it is more important to focus on what can be done to help the kids we see who are struggling at school with reading and writing. The focus of our APD clinic is long-term support for your child’s learning. We work alongside child & educational psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, teachers, and tutors to devise a treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs and learning preferences.
