What is auditory processing disorder (APD)?

Auditory processing has been described as what we do with what we hear. An individual with an auditory processing disorder (APD) has trouble understanding speech despite normal hearing. Most people with APD have normal intelligence.

What are some symptoms of APD?

• Poor listening skills
• Difficulty following auditory directions
• Difficulty understanding in noisy situations
• Difficulty with phonics
• Delayed responses to questions or in conversation
• Misunderstanding what is said
• Frequently saying “huh” or “what”
• Difficulty following conversations in groups
• Organizational problems
• Social skill deficit

What academic problems are common with APD?

• Reading problems including word accuracy and comprehension
• Difficulty with divided attention tasks, such as note-taking
• Difficulty making inferences
• Difficulty copying from the board
• Poor spelling
• Poor attention to verbal stimuli

How is auditory processing assessed?

The team that evaluates APD includes an audiologist and a speech pathologist. A psychoeducational evaluation can be arranged if your child does not have a current one.

How will this assessment benefit my child?

Upon completion of the evaluations, you will meet with a team member who will explain the results, answer questions, and discuss recommendations. The recommendations may include:

• Speech therapy to address your child’s areas of need
• A list of strategies to be used in the home and at school that will help your child achieve academic success
• Classroom accommodations
• The use of an assistive listening device to improve the signal to noise ratio

What can I expect when we come for the evaluation?

An interview will be conducted with a team member to determine your child’s specific strengths and limitations in the home and at school, followed by evaluations with the following professionals.

Audiology assessment may include:

• A complete hearing evaluation
• Speech in noise testing
• Speech sound discrimination
• Auditory attention
• Processing speed
• Understanding of altered speech sounds

Speech pathology assessment may include:

• Speech evaluation
• Vocabulary testing
• Testing of language comprehension
• Testing of language expression
• Testing of phonics skills
• Assessment of written language
• Assessment of social skills

How do I schedule an appointment?

To schedule an evaluation, contact the Division of Speech Pathology and Audiology at 919-684-3859, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.