audiologist for auditory processing disorder in adults

While outside observers such as teachers, colleagues, therapists, and family members can help in identifying a possible APD, only an audiologist can actually provide a diagnosis. APDs can make everyday life and tasks at work more difficult, which can lead to mental health issues, most notably, depression. Learning a new language is often difficult, but shuffling sounds or mishearing accents or sounds can make it nearly impossible to learn or understand a foreign language. While they may be able to process in-person conversations because of their ability to read lips or body language, phone conversations may be difficult for adults with APD to follow. Difficulty following phone conversations.If it’s difficult for you or your child to follow conversations or understand what someone is saying, it may be a sign of an APD.Īdults who have either struggled with an auditory processing disorder throughout their life or who may be experiencing acquired APD as a result of aging or a health condition often struggle with additional symptoms. If there are issues following any type of instruction, the listener may be misunderstanding the instructions or their brain may be mixing up the instructions after they initially hear them. Trouble following both simple and complex instructions.If you or your child’s ability to listen and comprehend what’s going on improves in quieter settings, it may be a sign of an APD. Improved listening in quieter settings.People with an APD often get overwhelmed by all the sounds in noisy environments such as classrooms, restaurants, or ball games. Difficulty concentrating or increased anxiety in loud environments.Both children and adults with an APD will often mishear sounds or words completely, which leads to misunderstanding. Pair that with teachers or other staff members reporting behavioral problems or struggles keeping up in class, and it might be time to get your child tested. However, persistent misunderstanding may indicate a deeper problem.

Many parents might believe their child is simply a poor listener or purposefully ignoring instructions. While auditory processing disorders affect both children and adults, it’s most noticeable in children. What are the symptoms of an Auditory Processing Disorder? It’s often secondary to the hearing impairment itself and should be treated alongside the hearing impairment.

This type of APD usually accompanies hearing loss or another kind of hearing impairment. It may improve with time or may be permanent, depending on the extent of the damage. This type of APD usually occurs after a traumatic brain injury, the development of a brain lesion, a stroke, or as a result of aging. Developmental APDs can also coexist with other developmental or learning disabilities. Often, the earlier a child receives an intervention, the better the outcome. If untreated, APD could continue for the child into adulthood. This type of auditory processing disorder presents in children. It can exist on its own or as a symptom of other disorders, such as ADHD.Įxplore the different types of APDs and what causes them. There is more than one type of auditory processing disorder. What are the different types of auditory processing disorders?

Let’s explore the signs and symptoms of the most common auditory processing disorders, who is most affected by APDs, and how best to treat these disorders once you’ve received a diagnosis. Symptoms of APDs can often be incorrectly attributed to other disorders, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (or ADHD) or speech-language delays. It’s a fair question when you’re actively ignoring someone, but if you’re constantly struggling to comprehend what someone is saying or find that you often mishear conversations, it might be a symptom of an auditory processing disorder (APD).Īn auditory processing disorder can also be known as a central auditory processing disorder. We’ve all heard the question at least once in our lives: “are you even listening to me?” Audiologists can diagnose and properly treat APDs - If you suspect you have an APD, request an appointment with an audiologist either on or through your primary care physician.There are different kinds of auditory processing disorders - Developmental APDs are present in childhood and may improve with early intervention, while acquired APDs may improve with time.Auditory processing disorders do not always accompany hearing loss - APDs occur when the brain struggles to process sound accurately.

Audiologist for auditory processing disorder in adults