5 Things You Didn’t Know About Auditory Processing Disorder
When it comes to hearing challenges, most of us are familiar with deafness and hearing loss, but there’s another type of hearing difficulty that’s less known: Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). This condition affects people of all ages, including children and adults, those with and without hearing loss, and can have a significant impact on daily life.
APD is a complex auditory disorder that affects how the brain processes sound. This can result in difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, trouble distinguishing different sounds, and even difficulty understanding speech in quiet environments. Today, we’re going to share 5 things you probably didn’t know about Auditory Processing Disorder.
1) APD is often misdiagnosed as ADHD or a learning disability.
Due to the similarities in symptoms, many children with APD are first diagnosed with ADHD or a learning disability. However, it’s crucial to distinguish between these conditions because they require different forms of treatment. A proper diagnosis of APD can lead to more effective interventions and better outcomes for the child.
2) APD can impact reading and spelling skills.
As APD can affect phonological (speech sound) processing, it can lead to reading and spelling difficulties. Children with APD may struggle with phonemic awareness, which is the ability to recognize and manipulate individual sounds in words. This, in turn, can affect their ability to read and spell accurately.
3) APD can make it challenging to follow directions.
Following directions can be challenging for people with APD. They may have difficulty filtering out irrelevant sounds and difficulty interpreting what they hear well, leading to confusion and frustration. This can impact their ability to follow instructions at school, work, or in social settings.
4) APD is treatable.
While there’s no cure for APD, interventions can help manage the symptoms and improve a person’s ability to communicate. Treatment typically includes working with an audiologist, who can provide individualized auditory training to target and improve specific auditory skills.
5) APD can impact social and emotional well-being.
Living with APD can be challenging, and people with this condition may feel isolated and frustrated. Individuals often are told they have “normal hearing and aren’t experiencing any problems”, even though they are experiencing problems. They may struggle to connect with others, particularly in noisy or group settings. This can impact their social and emotional well-being, making it important to provide support and understanding to those with APD.
Auditory Processing Disorder can be a significant challenge for those who live with it, but awareness and understanding of this condition can help. By recognizing the symptoms and seeking proper diagnosis and treatment, people with APD can improve their ability to communicate and engage with the world around them. If you suspect that you or someone you know might have APD, call our office to discuss evaluation, treatment, and get the support you need today.
