{"id":3445,"date":"2017-10-16T08:00:54","date_gmt":"2017-10-16T12:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/speechandhearingassoc.fm1.dev\/what-central-auditory-processing-disorders-are-all-about\/"},"modified":"2017-10-16T08:00:54","modified_gmt":"2017-10-16T12:00:54","slug":"what-central-auditory-processing-disorders-are-all-about","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/speechandhearingassoc.com\/what-central-auditory-processing-disorders-are-all-about\/","title":{"rendered":"What Central Auditory Processing Disorders Are All About"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Auditory<\/p>\n

What Is Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), also known as Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) is the reduced or impaired ability to discriminate, recognize or comprehend complex sounds, such as those used in words, even though the person’s hearing is normal. For example, understanding boat for coat or the not being able to discriminate the difference in sounds between “sh” and “ch” It is a complex problem that affects about 5% to 7% of school-aged children and it is twice as often diagnosed in boys than in girls.<\/p>\n

Although it is difficult to understand, APD is not a problem with hearing per se. The problem lies in the hearing process. In children\/adults with APD these electrical signals that come from the sound waves into the ear and are sent to the brain arrive with a delay or distortion, which makes learning and memorizing very difficult.<\/p>\n

\"hearing_process1\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This Is The Regular Process Of Hearing:<\/span><\/p>\n

Usually, a child with APD has normal hearing but the brain interprets what it hears as if there were a delay or distortion to the sound. This in turn makes it difficult for the child to comprehend what has been said and therefore he\/she is not able to retain the information, thereby affecting their short-term memory. So, although your child may be hearing everything that is said, he\/she may be struggling to process the meaning of it.<\/p>\n

Children who “pass” their hearing screening at school or in their pediatrician’s office, do “ok” even when tested by the speech therapist at school, but struggle with long assignments, following directions, appear to not hear (ask for frequent repetitions) or “mishear”, misunderstand humor and idioms, or appear distracted or overly fidgety, may actually be manifesting signs of an auditory processing disorder.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"apd_process2\"<\/a>This Is What Happens In A Child\/Adult With APD:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Children with APD will often have trouble focusing on schoolwork, multi-task instructions and surprisingly even every day socializing. Children tend to retreat in social scenarios so as not to make any mistakes that will permit them to be ridiculed. Their self-esteem can be greatly affected.<\/p>\n

APD has been a controversial diagnosis in the medical field. Many children with APD will also have accompanying learning differences that are often diagnosed as the primary problem and therefore APD is overlooked and not properly treated. There are also some medical experts who argue that APD does not exist at all. However, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) as well as the American Academy of Audiology have presented position statements in which they present the existence of APD among children as well as adults.
\n<\/a>
\nWhat Are The Symptoms?<\/span><\/strong>
\nSigns of APD often appear at a young age, usually in school age children but can be diagnosed in high school children and adults as well. However, it is very important to understand that APD cannot be diagnosed by a checklist. Every child is different and his\/her symptoms will manifest themselves differently.<\/p>\n

Due to some overlap in symptoms, many children are misdiagnosed with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) as well as other underlying conditions. The truth is that many children will have one of these disorders and delays in addition to APD, but APD can only be diagnosed by a certified audiologist after a series of specifically designed tests.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Symptoms Of APD Can Manifest In Many Different Ways And Can Range From Mild To Severe. Some Symptoms Of APD Include, But Are Not Limited To:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n