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What is Auditory Processing Disorder?

What is Auditory Processing Disorder?

(Central) auditory processing disorder [(C)APD] refers to difficulties in the processing of auditory information in the central nervous system (CNS) as demonstrated by poor performance in one or more of the following skills: sound localization and lateralization; auditory discrimination; auditory pattern recognition; temporal aspects of audition, including temporal integration, temporal discrimination (e.g., temporal gap detection), temporal ordering, and temporal masking; auditory performance in competing acoustic signals (including dichotic listening); and auditory performance with degraded acoustic signals.

Non-modality-specific cognitive processing and language problems may manifest themselves in auditory tasks (i.e., as listening problems); however, diagnosis of (C)APD requires demonstration of a deficit in the neural processing of auditory stimuli that is not due to higher order language, cognitive, or related factors. This working group concluded after a comprehensive review of the literature that any definition of (C)APD that would require complete modality-specificity as a diagnostic criterion is neurophysiologically untenable; however, one should expect the sensory processing perceptual deficit in (C)APD to be more pronounced, in at least some individuals, when processing acoustic information. (C)APD is best viewed as a deficit in neural processing of auditory stimuli that may coexist with, but is not the result of, dysfunction in other modalities. (C)APD can also lead to or be associated with difficulties in learning (e.g., spelling, reading), speech, language, attention, social, and related functions. Because of the complexity and heterogeneity of (C)APD, combined with the heterogeneity of learning and related disorders, it is to be expected that a simple, one-to-one correspondence between deficits in fundamental, discrete auditory processes and language, learning, and related sequelae may be difficult to demonstrate across large groups of diverse subjects. This underscores the need for comprehensive assessment and diagnostic procedures that fully explore the nature of the presenting difficulties of each individual suspected of having (C)APD.

~ASHA website~

What are some signs and symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorders?

• Does not pay attention/listen to verbal instructions
• Does not listen carefully to directions – needs instructions repeated often
• Says “huh?” or “what?” at least five or more times per day.
• Cannot attend to auditory stimuli for more than a few seconds.
• Daydreams often
• Has difficulty with phonics
• Is easily distracted or has difficulty understanding speech in background noise
• Has difficulty with multi-step directions
• Frequently misunderstands what is said.
• Learns poorly through the auditory channel
• Has a history of middle ear infections

What to do before having your child tested for an Auditory Processing Disorder

• Have your child’s peripheral hearing evaluated
• Follow up with a neuropsychologist to rule out Attention and Hyperactivity Disorders — APD and ADHD have very similar aspects
• Rule out other speech and language disorders through a speech and language evaluation with an SLP