Auditory Processing Disorder
Learn how to identify APD.
Diagnosing Auditory Processing Disorder
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) can be present in individuals of all ages. It is most commonly diagnosed in children between 5-12 years old although it can also be identified later in life as well. APD in children often appears as:
- Difficulty following verbal instructions
- Struggles with reading or phonics
- Misunderstanding in noisy environments
APD may be misdiagnosed as ADHD, learning disabilities, or behavioral issues.
Identifying APD in Teens and Young Adults
APD in teenagers and young adults is often undiagnosed or misattributed to attention issues or academic challenges. Individuals may continue to struggle with:
- Understanding lectures or group discussions
- Taking notes while listening
- Social or emotional challenges from misunderstood conversations
APD in Adults
APD in adults is typically the result of being undiagnosed since childhood or acquired later due to brain injury, stroke, aging, or neurological conditions. It can be identified as:
- Trouble understanding speech, especially in noise
- Feeling mentally drained after conversations
- Difficulty following fast speakers or group conversations
Who’s At Risk?
APD can be present in anyone, but there are certain factors that can contribute to it.
- Children with recurrent ear infections (otitis media) in early childhood
- Individuals with language or speech delays
- People with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Children with developmental disorders
- Elderly adults with normal hearing but increased difficulty understanding speech
Is it APD or Attention?
APD and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often share similar symptoms, such as difficulty listening, following directions, or focusing in noisy environments. However, the causes and treatment are very different.
When to consider APD?
- Child does well one-on-one but struggles in class
- Reading/spelling issues despite good intelligence
- Poor memory for things heard, but good with visuals
- Frustration with listening tasks or noise
If your child shows signs of APD but is not improving with ADHD treatment, an auditory processing evaluation may be needed.
What Parents Need to Know
Auditory Processing Disorder affects how the brain interprets sounds, especially speech. This can create challenges in learning even when hearing is normal.
How APD Impacts Learning
- Reading and Spelling: Difficulty hearing sound patterns (phonemic awareness) affects decoding
- Listening Comprehension: Struggles with understanding spoken language, especially in groups
- Following Directions: Trouble remembering and sequencing verbal instructions
- Social Interaction: Misunderstands jokes or tone; may appear inattentive
Classroom Red Flags
- Doesn’t follow directions unless repeated or written down
- Avoids reading aloud or participating in discussions
- Disorganized or forgetful with oral tasks
- Performs better with visual supports
Support at School
- 504 Plan or IEP may be appropriate
- Preferential seating and quiet testing area
- Written and verbal instructions
- Assistive listening devices
APD is manageable. With early identification and auditory training, children with APD can succeed academically and socially.
Auditory Training
Auditory training is like physical therapy for the ears and brain. It uses structured listening exercises to help:
- Discriminate between sounds (e.g., “cat” vs. “cap”)
- Recognize speech in noise
- Improve auditory memory and attention
- Strengthen auditory sequencing and comprehension
Sessions may include:
- Repeating back words or sentences
- Identifying where a sound comes from
- Listening for differences between similar sounds
- Following spoken directions with increasing complexity
Goals of Auditory Training
Some of the goals of auditory training are to improve ability to focus on important sounds; help the brain fill in missing information in noisy environments; increase listening stamina; and strengthen language, literacy, and academic skills.
Could It Be Auditory Processing Disorder?
Take this short quiz to find out!
Instructions: Answer YES or NO to each of the following.
- Does your child frequently ask for things to be repeated?
- Do they have more trouble listening in noisy settings than their peers?
- Is following verbal directions challenging for them?
- Do they have difficulty remembering things they heard?
- Is reading or spelling unusually difficult?
- Have teachers or others suspected ADHD but medications haven’t helped?
- Do they seem bright but struggle with listening or language tasks?
- Do they often misunderstand jokes, sarcasm, or fast-paced conversation?
- Are they more successful with visual instructions than verbal ones?
- Do they seem frustrated or fatigued after listening tasks?
Scoring:
0-2 YES: APD is unlikely
3-5 YES: Could be worth monitoring or screening
6+ YES: Consider a full APD evaluation
If you suspect your child has APD, call First Coast Audiology to schedule an appointment today!