Auditory processing disorder (APD) is a hearing impairment that affects how the brain processes sounds, including speech. It's an often misunderstood condition that can significantly impact a student's ability to learn and succeed in school.
Why it matters
APD affects about 1 in 20 students, causing difficulties in listening comprehension, following instructions, and discriminating between similar sounds.
- Without proper accommodations, students with APD may struggle to keep up with their peers, leading to frustration, low self-esteem, and behavioral problems misinterpreted as inattention or disrespect.
The problem
Students with APD experience delays between hearing words and processing their meaning, up to 10 seconds or more.
- For example: An entire sentence can be spoken before the brain registers the first word.
The symptoms
APD affects students in various ways, but some common difficulties include:
- Auditory localization (identifying where sounds originate)
- Auditory sequencing (recalling the order of sounds)
- Auditory discrimination (distinguishing between similar words like "crash" and "cash")
- Auditory memory deficits
- Auditory figure-ground issues (difficulty filtering background noise)
- Auditory fatigue from the mental strain of listening
The causes
While the causes of APD are still being investigated, factors such as lead exposure, head injuries, heredity, prenatal issues, and chronic ear infections may contribute to its development.
A valid diagnosis, not a hunch
APD is challenging to diagnose because its symptoms can be similar to those of other learning disabilities, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Who can diagnose APD accurately? Pediatric audiologists.
- Pediatric audiologists measure the physiological responses of the auditory system to sound with a series of tests in a sound-treated room using specialized instruments.
- The physiological responses of the auditory system during the test determine if a child has APD. Without these clinical measurements, you only have hunches.
- An accurate diagnosis enables schools and families to provide appropriate accommodations.
What to know
Students with APD can achieve the same speech and language level as their peers with accommodations. Teachers can use various classroom strategies to support APD students. For example —
- Preferential seating away from noise sources
- Visual aids and written instructions
- Breaking down multi-step directions
- Previewing new concepts before teaching
- Consulting the speech pathologist for personalized recommendations
Accommodations help students with APD enjoy the same speech and language level as their peers.
The bottom line
If you suspect that your child may have APD, seek professional help from a pediatric audiologist who specializes in the diagnosis of APD. With the proper support, students with APD can thrive academically and in all life's challenges.
Need help?
Call us if you're in our service area and want to speak with a pediatric audiologist about children’s hearing. We'll make an appointment for an office visit or telephone consultation.
Crest Hill, IL - 630-633-5060 | Palos Hills, IL - 708-599-9500
