Hear
ing trouble doesn’t always mean hearing loss. If you can hear sound but feel like you have trouble keeping up, then you may have a condition called auditory processing disorder. Auditory processing disorder, or APD, is a disorder in how the brain receives, understands and interprets sound information from the ear. Unlike hearing loss, APD happens in the brain, not the ear. A person with APD hears noise, but the brain struggles to understand it.
What Causes APD?
APD can be linked to many conditions, so the causes of APD are not always known. Some common causes are:
- Head trauma or head injuries
- Central nervous system disorders (e.g., stroke, epilepsy)
- Untreated hearing loss or frequent ear infections, which cause the input the brain receives to become distorted. If this distortion is ongoing, it can result in neural atrophy.
- Low birth weight or premature birth
- Genetics
How Do I Know If I Have APD?
Symptoms can vary, as there are different types of APD. In general, be on the lookout for:
- Difficulty responding immediately during conversations
- Difficulty understanding speech, especially if someone is talking really fast
- Inability to follow conversations in loud environments
- Inability to or difficulty with following verbal instructions
- Poor memory of spoken conversations or directions
- Difficulty maintaining focus and attention
How Do I Treat APD?
Treatment isn’t always necessary for APD. Instead, small environmental changes may help, such as moving closer to a person speaking and limiting background noises, like fans and televisions. You can also try taking notes when receiving directions and requesting any important information to be given to you in writing.
Other treatment options include:
- Hearing aids
- Auditory training or auditory therapy
- Speech therapy
First, you’ll need a diagnosis of APD. An audiologist at Decibel Hearing Services can help diagnose your condition, whether it’s traditional hearing loss, APD or some other condition. Call today for a hearing test.