
What We Do
Auditory Processing Disorder
(Also referred to as Central Auditory Processing Disorder)
For most individuals, auditory skills develop naturally throughout childhood with practice and experience. However, people with auditory processing difficulties experience issues in their auditory pathways, making it challenging for their brains to interpret the sounds their ears hear. Children with APD often struggle with following instructions, the ability to focus especially in noisy environments, and learning through listening.
Auditory processing difficulties can persist in adulthood. In some cases, individuals may develop APD following a concussion or other forms of traumatic brain injury. Additionally, it is common for auditory processing issues to coexist with hearing loss.
How is Auditory Processing Disorder Diagnosed?
At London Audiology Consultants, we primarily use the Buffalo Model for diagnosing and treating auditory processing issues. This model, developed by Jack Katz, Ph.D., at the University of Buffalo, assesses how well a person processes auditory information. We evaluate patients aged 6 and older (with screening available for children aged 4 and 5) based on how their performance compares to established norms across several listening tests. These tests also examine binaural separation and integration, which reveal how the brain processes multiple sounds simultaneously.
The tests measure a person’s abilities in four key areas:
- Decoding: The ability to quickly and accurately process phonemes, which are the basic sounds that make up speech.
- Tolerance-Fading Memory: The ability to understand speech in noisy environments and retain that information in short-term memory while processing competing sounds.
- Organization: The ability to organize and store orally presented information.
- Integration: The ability of the left and right brain hemispheres to work together in processing auditory information to properly understand a message.
Common signs associated with Auditory Processing Disorder:
- Difficulty listening
- Difficult with reading or spelling
- Difficulty following verbal directions, especially multi-step instructions
- Functions better in quiet environments
- Short attention span
- Easily distracted
- Memory problems
- Difficulty sequencing or organizing information
A diagnosis of APD can be validation that there is a reason why you or your child struggle to focus or follow along during a conversation. It also allows us to identify the areas of difficulty so a treatment plan can be created. One of our audiologists can also recommend accommodation for school or at home, in social situations, and in the workplace to help to reduce the impact that your hearing/processing ability has on your work performance.