Auditory Processing Disorder

Auditory processing disorder can be misdiagnosed because symptoms can mimic other disorders or are overshadowed by other problems, like learning disabilities, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism. It is best to rule out these concerns before being evaluated for APD. We can assess children with these diagnoses to look for areas of weakness, but we cannot label APD as a standalone disorder in these cases.

APD testing is recommended for:

• Children ages seven and up
• Children and adults with normal hearing

For children:

• First, your child will see a pediatric audiologist, who will administer a comprehensive hearing test to rule out hearing loss and middle ear dysfunction. If your child's hearing was already assessed elsewhere, our team will review the results before scheduling an APD assessment.
• Specific auditory processing tests will be chosen based on your child’s age and developmental level. 

For adults:

• We will discuss your medical history as well as test your hearing and listening skills (for example, listening when there is background noise, competing information, fast rates of speech, and more) and perform your APD evaluation during the same appointment. 
• Within five days after testing, you will receive a report with your test scores and norms for comparison. We will also make treatment or therapy recommendations, including any accommodations that could help. You may schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss results with your provider in person, but these appointments may not be covered by insurance.