Auditory Processing
Professional help for auditory processing and other hearing disorders.
(Central) Auditory Processing Disorder (C)APD
(Central) Auditory Processing Disorder ((C)APD), also known as an Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), is a series of problems that can occur during various listening tasks. Children with (C)APD may hear normally, however, they are unable to comprehend or interpret the information they hear correctly. When a (C)APD is present, the individual’s ear sends sounds to the brain, but the part of the brain responsible for translating those sounds does not function properly, resulting in a jumbled message.
If left untreated, children with (C)APD may have speech and language delays. They also tend to have difficulty learning, especially in noisy classrooms. Early diagnosis is crucial because with the right treatment, a child with (C)APD can do well in school and live a completely normal life.
What to Expect: (C)APD Evaluation Process
Our (Central) Auditory Processing evaluation is completed over three visits which are typically completed on the same day, each designed to give us a full picture of how you or your child hears and processes sound.
Visit 1: Hearing Evaluation
(About 1 hour for adults, 1–2 hours for children)
We begin by checking how the ears are functioning. This includes a comprehensive hearing test along with additional measures that look at how sound travels through the ear and auditory system.
This step helps us rule out any hearing concerns and ensures we are focusing specifically on auditory processing.
Visit 2: (Central) Auditory Processing Testing
(About 1 hour for adults, 1–2 hours for children)
Next, we assess how the brain processes sound. This visit includes a series of listening activities (often described as “listening games” for children) that look at skills like:
• Understanding speech in noise
• Listening with both ears together
• Recognizing patterns in sounds
These tasks are designed to be engaging while giving us detailed information about auditory processing abilities.
Visit 3: Results & Treatment Plan
(About 40 minutes, typically scheduled in the afternoon)
During the final visit, you’ll meet with our Speech-Language Pathologist to review the results in detail.
We’ll walk you through:
• What the findings mean
• Personalized recommendations and next steps
This may include therapy options, school accommodations, and strategies to support listening success in everyday life.
(C)APD Evaluations
(C)APD evaluations are particularly useful for children ages seven and older who have normal hearing, but difficulty listening and learning in the classroom.
Our team understands that a careful and accurate diagnosis is the first step to providing a comprehensive and effective treatment program. (C)APD evaluations must be interpreted in the context of a complete psycho-educational test series, including measures of the child’s cognitive, language, and reading capacity. At Evergreen Speech and Hearing Clinic, we analyze your child’s test for predictable sequences of errors or patterns in their responses that indicate the type of auditory delay they are experiencing. We can determine the specific areas your child struggles with the most to develop a treatment plan that fits their individual needs.
Treatment for (C)APD
(C)APD treatment must be individualized, intense, and effective. Designing a plan to improve symptoms of (C)APD requires the collaboration of multiple specialists, parents, and teachers. The child’s school and home environments are also taken into consideration. Modifications to your child’s classroom, homework, and in-school testing requirements may be recommended. In addition, an audiologist or speech-language pathologist can provide auditory training therapies to help your child develop better listening and organizational skills.