Central Auditory Processing Disorder

Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) also called Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a receptive language disorder, in which a person hears sounds but can’t process the information correctly into words and language.

People with central auditory processing disorder can’t recognize the difference between sounds in words even when the sounds are loud enough. That is they can’t differentiate between the words that sound similar like hat, cat or hall, ball. This is because something adversely affects the processing or interpretation of information.

About 5 percent of the school-going children are affected from this disorder. Children with central auditory processing disorder can’t learn the things as other children. They can’t concentrate and pay attention especially when there is noise in the background.

Children with central auditory processing disorder don’t understand what is being said and what to say. They have difficulty in remembering the information. They remember only a part of it but act as though they have understood everything. They feel lost especially when one than more person is talking and speaking rapidly. Children with central auditory processing disorder can’t maintain focus for long time. They can’t maintain attention for listening long lectures in schools.

Causes of Central Auditory Processing Disorder

The exact cause of central auditory processing disorder is not known. But some of the possible causes of central auditory processing disorder include lead poisoning, chronic ear infections and head injury. Sometimes this disorder may be inherited or even caused by a birth defect.

In children, central auditory processing disorder may be associated with the conditions like autism, attention deficit disorder, developmental disorder, dyslexia or specific language impairment.

Signs and Symptoms of Central Auditory Processing Disorder

The signs and symptoms of central auditory processing disorder can range from mild to severe and include:

• Difficulty in paying attention
• Difficulty in remembering information
• Difficulty in following verbal directions
• Difficulty in remembering names and places
• Difficulty in repeating numbers or words sequentially
• Difficulty in understanding incomplete sentences
• Difficulty in understanding words, especially in noisy backgrounds
• Require more time for processing information
• Poor listening skills
• Behavioral problems
• Language difficulty
• Difficulty in reading and spelling
• Low academic performance

Diagnosis of Central Auditory Processing Disorder

Diagnosing central auditory processing disorder in children in more complicated and difficult than in adults. Hearing specialists (audiologists) or speech-language pathologists can determine whether a child has central auditory processing disorder.

Audiologists may perform auditory processing tests to know how well a person can recognize sounds in words and sentences. He will try to identify the cause of the processing problem.

By interacting with a person, speech-language pathologists may find out how well a person understands and uses language.

Treatment of Central Auditory Processing Disorder

Central auditory processing disorder can’t be cured but can be treated. There are certain skills, exercises and structures that help in the treatment by reducing the impact of the disorder.

The most frequently used treatments for central auditory processing disorder includes speech therapy, reading recovery and sound stimulation. Sound stimulation is often used in combination with audio-vocal training. Sound stimulation is the best way of improving the function of sensory system.

Sound stimulation is a kind of physiotherapy in which a person’s ear is exposed to carefully monitored sound. This helps in strengthening the neurological pathways and training the ear to listen more clearly and accurately.

There are several strategies available for helping the people with central auditory processing disorder. Electronic devices like auditory trainers are given to the people with central auditory processing disorder. This allows them to focus attention on speaker and reduce the disturbance caused by background noise.

Certain exercises that help in improving language-building skills are taught to the children with central auditory processing disorder to increase their learning ability and language base.

A procedure called auditory memory enhancement may also help the people with central auditory processing disorder by reducing detailed information to a more basic format.

These treatment techniques will help the people with central auditory processing disorder to feel more confident and successful. Remember that any of the above treatment techniques should be used only under the guidance of health providers.