Auditory Processing
Understanding Auditory Processing
While the ears collect sound, the brain gives it meaning. When the brain struggles to interpret or organize those sounds properly, it’s known as Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). Children with APD usually pass standard hearing tests with flying colors; the challenge isn't listening, but how the brain makes sense of what it hears.
RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS OF APD
Does any of this sound familiar?
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Asks for repetition: Frequently asks "What?" or needs instructions repeated.
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Struggles in noisy places: Has a hard time focusing in busy environments like classrooms or restaurants.
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Gets lost in directions: Battles to follow multi-step verbal instructions.
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Mixes up words: Confuses similar-sounding words (like "shoulder" and "soldier").
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Appears to drift off: Seems to tune out or daydream when people are speaking.
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Battles with literacy: Struggles with reading, spelling, or sounding out new words.
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Experiences listening fatigue: Becomes visibly drained after long periods of listening.
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Looks like ADHD: Has been evaluated or considered for ADHD (the two are often confused).
Our Auditory Processing Assessment
- Targeted Screening: A fast, cost-effective evaluation combined with an intake questionnaire. It identifies key areas of concern so we can pinpoint which formal tests are actually necessary.
- Comprehensive Evaluation: A complete formal diagnostic evaluation that delivers a precise report, actionable recommendations, and a step-by-step therapy plan.
- Finding the Right Answer: Our screening process helps distinguish APD from attention difficulties (ADD/ADHD), dyslexia, and language processing challenges.
What the process looks like
Every child's assessment is different, but you can generally expect:
Initial conversation
We talk with you about your concerns and your child's history
Screening or intake
We determine which formal assessments are appropriate
Conducting TESTING
Your child completes age-appropriate listening tasks in a comfortable environment
Results and recommendations
We explain what we found and map out next steps together
How Sound Matters Can Help
Once we understand your child's processing profile, we create a personalized plan that may include:
Clinical therapy: One-on-one sessions targeting specific auditory skills — including phonemic awareness, listening in noise, sound discrimination, pitch pattern recognition, and auditory memory training.
Strategies for home and school: Practical adjustments like reducing background noise, using visual supports, pre-teaching new vocabulary, building in listening breaks, and creating better acoustic environments.
Technology supports: When appropriate, we may recommend FM systems, assistive listening devices, or other tools to support your child's listening in challenging environments.
Why this matters
When a child struggles to process what they hear, it affects everything; their ability to learn, to connect with others, and to feel confident. But when a child begins to understand what they hear clearly, everything changes. School gets easier. Friendships deepen. Frustration fades. We're here to help your child get there.
Intervention for APD
There are 3 broad categories for intervention:
Language & Compensatory Strategies
- Reduce background noise
- Acoustic modifications (carpet, curtains, bookcases)
- Note-taking aid
- Attention prompts and cueing
- Eye Contact
- Comprehension checks
- Visual aids
- Listening breaks
- Pre-teaching of new concepts & vocabulary
Intervention/ Treatment
- Auditory skills training
- One-on-one therapy with a clinician
- Phoneme discrimination
- Listening in noise training
- Pitch pattern awareness
- Temporal resolution training
- Binaural integration training
- Localization/lateralization of sound
- Dichotic listening training - amblyaydia
- 'Ear advantage' training
Amplification/ Technology
- Personal FM system
- Soundfield system
- Low-gain hearing aids (LGHAs)
- Assistive listening devices
- Laptop/tablet with word processing capabilites
- Custom ear filters and noise cancelling ear pieces
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between APD and a hearing problem?
Children with APD typically pass standard hearing tests. Their ears pick up sound normally, but their brain has difficulty interpreting and organizing what they hear — especially in noisy environments or when instructions are complex.
At what age can a child be tested for auditory processing disorder?
We can begin screening children as young as age 3. Comprehensive formal testing is typically most reliable from age 7 onward, though earlier screening helps identify concerns and start supportive strategies sooner.
Is auditory processing disorder the same as ADHD?
No, but they are frequently confused. Children with APD may appear inattentive because they struggle to process what they hear — not because they can't focus. Our assessments are designed to help distinguish between the two.
How long does an auditory processing assessment take?
A screening typically takes about 60 to 90 minutes. A comprehensive evaluation may require two to three hours, sometimes spread across two appointments to keep your child comfortable.
Will my child need therapy after the assessment?
It depends on the results. Some children benefit from direct therapy, while others do well with classroom accommodations and home strategies. We'll discuss all the options with you and help you decide what's right for your child.
Does insurance cover auditory processing assessments?
Many extended health benefit plans cover audiology and speech-language pathology services. We recommend checking with your insurance provider. We can provide receipts with the appropriate professional designations for reimbursement.
APD the Brain and Central Nervous System
Auditory processing disorder (APD) is a term for a variety of disorders that affect the way the brain processes auditory information. Individuals with APD usually have normal structure and function of the outer, middle, and inner ear (peripheral hearing). However, they cannot process the information they hear in the same way as others do, which leads to difficulties in recognizing and interpreting sounds, especially the sounds composing speech. These difficulties arise from dysfunction in the central nervous system.
It can affect both children and adults. Cooper and Gates (1991) estimated the prevalence of adult APD to be 10 to 20%. It has been reported that males are twice as likely to be affected by the disorder as females, and that prevalence is higher in the elderly and increases with age.
Where can you go for support?
Support groups – both online and in person – can help parents and adults connect with people who are experiencing similar difficulties and give ideas of treatment or accommodations that have helped. Feel free to join our social media page on Facebook in order to collaborate with others experiencing APD.