When we think about hearing issues, we often picture hearing impairment, hearing loss, or deafness. Even as a sound engineer, it’s natural to associate hearing problems with physical damage rather than errors in brain processing.
However, Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is different—it’s not about hearing loss but rather how the brain interprets sound. A person with APD may pass a hearing test perfectly yet still struggle to understand speech, follow conversations, or distinguish between similar words.
How the Brain Struggles with APD
Auditory Processing Disorder occurs when the brain doesn’t properly receive, store, or process the information it gets from the ears. This can make everyday communication frustrating and confusing, even though a child or adult with APD may technically “hear” just fine.
Speech-Language Pathologist Lois Kam Heymann, a leading expert on APD and author of The Sound of Hope, explains that the brain can experience three types of breakdowns when processing sound:
1. Receiving Information
Analogy: It’s like a cell phone with poor reception—the speaker is clear, but parts of the message are garbled.
Example: Someone says, “Pick up 13 cupcakes,” but you mishear and bring home 30.
2. Analyzing and Storing Sound
Analogy: The brain may struggle to blend sounds together, so words aren’t stored properly.
Example: A child hears the sounds C-A-T but doesn’t associate them with the animal “cat.”
Connection: Temple Grandin, an autism advocate, has described hearing two tones as a single tone due to her brain misprocessing them.
3. Processing Meaning
Analogy: Imagine seeing an unfamiliar vegetable at the store. You’ve heard of “Kalette” or “Romanesco”, but at that moment, you can’t recall the name.
Example: For a child, this could mean forgetting the word for common objects, like a cat or a chair.
Why APD Can Be Difficult to Diagnose
Auditory Processing Disorder can be tricky to identify because its symptoms overlap with other conditions. Children struggling with APD may be mistakenly thought to have:
- A language disorder (if they mix up similar-sounding words)
- ADHD (if they seem inattentive in noisy environments)
According to the Child Mind Institute, APD impacts four key skills:
1. Auditory Discrimination
- Difficulty distinguishing between similar sounds (e.g., “cake” vs. “take”)
- Struggles with rhyming because the brain doesn’t register similar sounds
2. “Figure-to-Ground” Discrimination
- Difficulty focusing on a voice when there’s background noise
- Some trouble in noisy environments is normal for kids, but if it’s significantly worse than peers, it may be APD
3. Auditory Memory
- Trouble remembering song lyrics, nursery rhymes, or spoken instructions
- Short-term and long-term recall of auditory information is weak
4. Auditory Sequencing
- Difficulty recalling the order of sounds, words, or numbers
- Struggles with following multi-step instructions
Treatment & Support for APD
Children experiencing these difficulties are typically referred to a speech-language pathologist (SLP) or educational therapist. Audiologists can also test for APD, but it remains a developing field with ongoing research.
Dr. Matthew Cruger of the Child Mind Institute notes that while interventions for APD are widely used, there isn’t yet a large body of research proving their effectiveness. This may be because APD symptoms overlap with other developmental conditions, and the auditory system matures with age.
However, early intervention is key. If you suspect a child has APD, it’s better to explore treatment options rather than waiting to see if they “grow out of it.” Struggles with processing sound can be frustrating for children and may impact their learning and development in the meantime.
Finding Support & Resources
Many parents, educators, and individuals with APD turn to online communities for the latest research and shared experiences. There are Facebook groups and support networks dedicated to Auditory Processing Disorder, where members discuss diagnoses, interventions, and real-world coping strategies.
By recognizing the signs of APD and seeking appropriate support, individuals can develop strategies to navigate a world filled with sound more effectively.