Auditory processing disorder (APD) is a central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). As usual, it refers to the brain’s recognition and interpretation of both speech and non-speech sounds. An auditory processing disorder (APD) occurs when processing or interpretation of information is affected. Children with APD typically have normal hearing, but often do not recognize subtle differences between sounds in words. As a result, making it difficult to process verbal information and filter out background noise.
Signs and Symptoms
- poor listening skills
- problems differentiating similar-sounding speech sounds
- difficulty paying attention to and remembering information
- trouble following multi-step directions
- difficulty listening in noise
- more time needed to process information
- poor organization of verbal material
- trouble with reading, comprehension, spelling and vocabulary
- low academic performance
Auditory Processing Treatment
You need to know that auditory processing disorder is either developmental or acquired. It may result from ear infections, head injuries or neurodevelopmental delays that affect processing of auditory information. This can include problems with: sound localization and lateralization. It can also reflect auditory discrimination, auditory pattern recognition. Temporal aspects of audition is including temporal integration, temporal discrimination, temporal ordering, and temporal masking. It also reflects auditory performance in competing acoustic signals
Treatment, addressed by a speech-language pathologist, focuses on strengthening language, problem-solving, memory, attention and other cognitive and language skills training to help overcome the disorder. In conclusion, auditory processing treatment includes specific needs of the child.