Auditory Processing Disorder: understanding the condition and its treatment

As a parent, it can be concerning to suspect that your child may have a hearing problem. One type of hearing problem that some children may experience is auditory processing disorder (APD). This condition is not related to the actual ability to hear, but rather to the way the brain processes sound. In this article, we will go over what APD is, how it is diagnosed, and what you can do to help your child.

What is APD?

Auditory processing disorder is a condition where the brain has difficulty processing and understanding sounds. This can make it difficult for a child to understand speech, especially in noisy environments like a crowded classroom. Children with APD may struggle to follow conversations, concentrate in noisy settings, and remember information they have heard. While they may have normal hearing, they still have difficulty processing auditory information.

If you suspect your child may have APD, it is important to seek a diagnosis from an experienced Audiologist. The Audiologist will conduct a series of tests to determine if your child has APD and to what extent. These tests will likely include assessments of the child’s ability to understand speech in noisy environments, identify sounds in a sequence, and locate sounds in the environment.

Diagnosis and treatment

The good news is that there are treatments available for APD. These include:

• Amplification devices: Hearing aids or other amplification devices can help your child hear sounds more clearly and reduce the amount of effort they need to put into processing sounds.

• Speech therapy: Speech therapy can help your child improve their listening skills and increase their understanding of speech.

• Cognitive therapy: This type of therapy can help your child improve their ability to process auditory information.

• Listening training programmes: Listening training programmes can help your child improve their ability to process sounds and improve their overall listening skills.

It is important to have your child diagnosed with APD as early as possible. Early intervention can help prevent further difficulties with listening, speech, and learning. If left untreated, APD can lead to difficulties with schoolwork, socialisation, and communication.

APD can affect children of all ages, but it is most commonly diagnosed in children between the ages of 6 and 12. Children who have had frequent ear infections, have a family history of hearing problems, or have learning difficulties may be at an increased risk for APD.

If you suspect your child may have APD, it is important to seek a diagnosis from an experienced Audiologist. With the right treatment and support, your child can overcome APD and reach their full potential. By seeking early intervention, you can help ensure your child has the best possible outcome.

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