What is auditory processing disorder?

If you or your child find it difficult to understand speech, particularly in noisy environments, you may be experiencing auditory processing disorder (APD), as explained by Mayo Clinic.

APD, also known as central auditory processing disorder, affects the way the brain interprets sounds, such as everyday noises.

What exactly is APD?

According to WebMD, APD is a neurological condition that alters the brain's ability to process sounds in the same way most people do.

Unlike hearing loss, APD doesn’t involve any physical damage to the ears or a reduction in hearing ability. Instead, it affects how the brain deciphers and makes sense of the sounds it receives.

Symptoms of auditory processing disorder

The symptoms of APD can differ widely between individuals, as Cleveland Clinic explains, with some experiencing more noticeable challenges than others.

If you’re living with APD, you may experience the following:

• Difficulty in noisy environments: You might find it challenging to understand conversations when there is background noise. This isn’t due to hearing loss but because your brain struggles to filter out background sounds and focus on the primary conversation.
• Frequent misunderstandings: You may often need to ask people to repeat themselves or find that you misinterpret spoken instructions. Words that sound similar can be easily confused.
• Delayed responses: There may be a noticeable delay in your responses during verbal communication. This delay isn’t due to not hearing but rather the time it takes for your brain to process the sounds and formulate a response.
• Auditory memory challenges: Retaining details from conversations, lectures, or lessons can be difficult. This aspect of APD affects your ability to remember and recall information that you hear.

If you believe you or your child might be living with APD, the best thing to do is visit your GP.

 They will be able to direct you to the most suitable healthcare professional and provide personalised treatment.

How is APD diagnosed?

According to Mayo Clinic, diagnosing APD involves a thorough process, typically conducted by an audiologist and often a speech-language pathologist.

First, an audiologist will conduct a standard hearing test to rule out hearing loss. Once that’s ruled out, they’ll perform specific auditory processing tests to assess how well you can process and understand various sounds, particularly in noisy settings.

These tests might involve listening to different sounds or spoken words and then answering questions about them.

This comprehensive evaluation is essential because APD can present symptoms similar to other conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other learning difficulties.

Accurate diagnosis ensures that the right strategies and support can be put in place to manage the condition effectively.

APD's link to other conditions

APD often overlaps with other conditions, which can complicate its diagnosis and management.

According to Healthline, many people with APD also experience language disorders or learning disabilities, and these conditions can share symptoms with APD.

Additionally, there’s a significant connection between APD and ADHD, where difficulties in processing auditory information and attention regulation coexist.

Although these overlapping symptoms can make diagnosis challenging, it’s important to persist.

A correct diagnosis allows healthcare professionals to develop a tailored and comprehensive treatment plan to meet your specific needs.

Managing APD in daily life

Auditory processing disorder can significantly impact daily life for both adults and children, affecting various aspects of everyday experiences.

Kids Health explains that for children, APD can present challenges in school, where difficulties in processing auditory information can hinder their ability to follow instructions, engage in classroom activities, and understand spoken material.

This can affect academic performance and social interactions, as they may misinterpret what teachers or peers say.

For adults, APD can impact workplace communication and productivity, especially in noisy environments or where verbal instructions are frequent.

If you’re living with APD and facing challenges at work, Disability Employment Services providers such as APM can assist.

Our friendly employment consultants can collaborate with you and your employer to implement any workplace modifications you need to perform well and maintain your job.

Outside of work, WebMD explains that APD can affect social interactions due to frequent misunderstandings in conversations. Regardless of age, living with APD might also lead to increased fatigue and stress from the extra effort required to process auditory information.

Understanding and managing these effects is crucial to improving your quality of life and enabling you to participate fully in educational, professional, and social settings.

While living with APD presents challenges, an effective treatment plan can help you navigate these difficulties and develop strategies to enhance your auditory processing skills.

When to visit a healthcare professional

If you suspect that you or someone close to you might have Auditory Processing Disorder, it’s wise to consult a healthcare professional.

This is particularly important if you or your child often struggle with understanding speech, especially in noisy environments, or find it difficult to follow spoken instructions.

These challenges at school or work are clear indicators that it’s time to seek professional help, such as from your GP, to begin the diagnosis process.

Early intervention is key, as it can significantly improve daily life and enhance your overall quality of life in both personal and professional areas.

Resources and further reading

• Auditory processing disorder in adults - VeryWell Health
• Auditory processing disorder - Mayo Clinic
• What is auditory processing disorder? - WebMD

About this article

APM supports people with disability, injury, or a health condition through various programs and services across its businesses, including Disability Employment Services in Australia.

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