Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
When the ears hear, but the words get lost.
Auditory processing disorder is when the ears pick up sound normally, but the brain has trouble making sense of it, especially in noise. I help identify it and put a plan in place to improve how sound is interpreted and how you, or your child, communicate.
- A child who struggles to follow instructions in a noisy classroom
- Someone who often asks “what?” even though a hearing test came back normal
- Mixing up words that sound alike
- Being easily distracted or tired out by background noise
- A teacher or a parent has raised it
What you leave with
- A clear answer on whether it is hearing or processing
- Strategies you can start using straight away
- A report you can share with the school
What happens
Step by step.
Rule out hearing loss
A diagnostic hearing test comes first. Hearing loss and APD can look the same from the outside.
Assess processing
Listening tasks that show how the brain handles speech, especially in noise.
A plan that fits
Practical strategies for home and the classroom, and support to improve how sound is interpreted.
Work with the team
Where it helps, I share findings with teachers and other therapists involved.
Questions
Good to know.
What happens in a diagnostic hearing test?
We talk about what you are noticing, I look in your ears, and then you are tested in a soundproof booth. The test evaluates your outer, middle and inner ear across different noise environments, and we go through the results together.
Also
If you’re ready to take the next step toward better hearing, I’d love to work with you.
Let’s talk. Call 011 700 6643 or book online.