Auditory Processing Disorder Symptoms

Auditory processing difficulties refer to an umbrella of difficulties that affect the way the brain processes auditory input. Often, individuals who suffer from an auditory processing disorder will have normal results on most of our hearing test battery. Structure and function at the level of the ear canal, the middle ear and the inner ear will be normal, but those individuals will typically complain about difficulties understanding speech in quiet and especially in noisy environments.

How are Auditory Processing Disorders diagnosed?

Auditory processing disorders is diagnosed with a number of tests. Sometimes, these tests involve subjective measures, where we perform the tests in the sound proof booth and assess your responses to our tests. These tests are quite complex and difficult, but they are meant to be, because our goal is to stress the auditory system, so that we can get an appropriate diagnosis and determine the specific listening situations that are most challenging for you. Other times, these tests involve objective measures, where we can place electrodes on your head and measure the way your brain processes sounds.

How are Auditory Processing Disorders treated?

The type of intervention that is appropriate for someone who suffers from auditory processing disorders will really depend in the specific difficulties that are reported and that we identify with our testing. For this reason, all intervention is customized. We will advocate on your behalf with your school or your place of work to make sure that appropriate accommodations are made to help you hear better and process auditory input better in those difficult environments. Other times, we will recommend specific auditory therapies to train your brain to listen to complex input. The rehabilitation plan that we recommend for Auditory Processing Disorders will typically involve some in-clinic visits and some homework. Either way, we customize the rehab plan for you and we work together to help you.

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