Auditory processing disorder (APD) is a condition that affects how our brains use the information we hear. Children with APD may have normal hearing, but they find it challenging to recognise sounds and interpret them correctly. APD can look like an intellectual disability, a speech problem or a learning difficulty, but it isn’t any of them. Detailed clinical assessment by a qualified audiology professional is crucial. For more auditory processing disorder Adelaide treatment, check this out. Speech therapy Children with auditory processing disorder have difficulty in school and can often be left out of the social scene. However, with the proper intervention and management, they can improve their listening skills to a typical level. It will include practical suggestions such as amended seating arrangements at school and visual cues for verbal instructions. They will also be offered clinical programs focusing on training and improving their auditory skills in therapy. The condition is not attributed to hearing loss and can affect adults, too. Symptoms include difficulty in noisy environments, following complex spoken directions, understanding rapid speech and reduced auditory memory. In some cases, they may also experience fatigue and episodes of zoning out. A healthcare team, including teachers, psychologists, and a speech-language pathologist, may help diagnose auditory processing disorders. These experts can provide a full assessment of the child’s symptoms and order tests to determine whether or not they have a deficit in how the brain processes information. Audiology therapy Audiology therapy can include specialised hearing tests designed to measure the person’s ability to process speech and non-speech sounds, discriminate between similar sounds and detect slight differences in sound timing, order and pattern. The person may also be given tests to see how well they can cope with distracting noises or a sound being “masked”. For more auditory processing disorder Adelaide treatment, check this out. An audiologist is a healthcare professional specialising in identifying, diagnosing and treating hearing disorders in patients of all ages. They can provide advice and support on practical ways to improve listening in noisy environments, such as using a remote microphone and taking breaks from activities that require concentrated attention. People with auditory processing difficulties have normal hearing but cannot map the sounds they hear to the letters they know – for example, they might think that the p sound is a b sound. It does not affect their intelligence and is unrelated to how loud they can hear. Cognitive behavioural therapy Auditory processing disorder isn’t just about hearing problems – it also affects how the brain processes sounds. People with APD have difficulty understanding speech and are incredibly complacent. They may ask people to repeat themselves or have trouble following instructions. They might even have difficulty with telephone conversations and learning new languages. People with APD can have excellent hearing and a high IQ, but their brains don’t match the sounds they hear to words. For example, they might know what the p sound should be, but when someone says it, they hear a b. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help people with APD improve their listening skills. This type of psychotherapy aims to change unhelpful thinking patterns and teach practical self-help strategies to enhance your quality of life. It can also help you cope with the challenges that come along with having APD. Neurological rehabilitation Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) is a condition that interferes with verbal language understanding but does not involve hearing loss. It can be caused by a variety of issues, including learning difficulties and mental health problems. A doctor can diagnose APD by taking a history and conducting tests. They will then create a care plan to achieve your highest level of independence. Your care team will include physical, occupational and speech therapists, case managers, and nurses. The care team will also help you cope with changes that may occur due to the rehabilitation process. For example, you might need psychological support to overcome depression and anxiety that arises from the changes in your life. The team will include psychologists, who can assess how your thoughts and behaviour relate to the brain and nervous system. They will also include speech-language pathologists who can evaluate your ability to use your language. For more auditory processing disorder Adelaide treatment, check this out.