Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

Auditory processing disorder (APD) is a condition that makes it harder to process sounds and language. You hear words, but it might take your brain a bit longer to understand them. You may also have trouble focusing in environments with lots of background noise. With APD, you have trouble understanding speech even though you don’t have hearing loss. You may also be more of a visual learner.

APD is usually discovered in childhood. But it can be found in adults, too. Although there’s no cure for APD, audiologists have treatments that can help manage your symptoms.

Another name for APD is central processing disorder.

Types of auditory processing disorders

People with APD often experience it in unique ways. There are several different types of auditory processing disorders. A few of them include:

• Decoding. You hear sounds but your brain can’t process them as words.
• Integration. It’s hard to multitask when you’re listening. Taking notes in school is one example.
• Organizational. You have trouble recalling information in a specific order.
• Prosodic. You have difficulty interpreting tone and inflection. For instance, you might not notice that the tone of a person’s voice scoops up at the end of a question.

You may only have one type of APD. Or you might have a combination of two or more.

Symptoms of auditory processing disorder

Auditory processing disorder symptoms can vary. You might have difficulty:

• Following verbal directions
• Having long conversations or conversations in loud environments
• Reading, spelling and writing
• Responding immediately during conversations
• Telling the difference between words
• Understanding rapid speech

Auditory processing disorder causes

With auditory processing disorder, your brain has trouble interpreting what your ears hear. Many different things can cause it, including:

• Central nervous system disorders like stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS) or Alzheimer’s disease
• Frequent ear infections
• Genetics
• Head injuries
• Low birth weight or premature birth
• Neurodivergent conditions like ADHD or autism spectrum disorder

Complications of auditory processing disorder

If you have APD, you might have more trouble communicating compared to your peers. Over time, this may lead to mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. It’s important to tell your healthcare provider how you’re feeling so they can help.

How doctors diagnose auditory processing disorder

Your healthcare provider will need to run some tests to diagnose auditory processing disorder. These tests might include:

• Auditory processing tests to measure your brain’s ability to process sounds
• Hearing tests to rule out hearing loss as the cause
• Language tests to rule out language disorders
• Psychological tests to check for ADHD or other similar conditions

How is auditory processing disorder treated?

Auditory processing disorder treatment may include:

• Changing your environment, like sitting closer to the front of a classroom, for instance
• Getting specialized speech and auditory therapy that focuses on building auditory skills
• Using coping strategies, like using a recording device

When should I see my healthcare provider?

If you think you or your child might have APD, tell your healthcare provider. Many conditions share similar symptoms with APD. A diagnosis is key to getting the right treatment.

Who treats auditory processing disorder?

Several healthcare providers can help treat auditory processing disorder, including:

• Audiologists
• Otolaryngologists (ENTs)
• Psychologists
• Speech-language pathologists (SLPs)

What can I expect if I have auditory processing disorder?

APD affects each person differently. Self-care starts with understanding how APD impacts you.

For children and adults, APD treatment can help manage symptoms. Additionally, children with APD may notice an improvement in their symptoms as they grow older.

Is auditory processing disorder a form of autism?

No, APD isn’t a form of autism spectrum disorder. But sometimes, the two conditions occur together. For instance, a child with autism might have communication challenges that could worsen APD symptoms.