Auditory Processing Disorder
Enjoy 5-Star-Rated Hearing Care at Mt. Harrison Audiology
Do you or a loved one have trouble focusing on conversations in noisy environments? If so, there’s a chance you may be suffering from Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). Sometimes hearing loss occurs not in the ear itself, but in the brain’s ability to make use of the sound the ear receives. In someone with APD, the processing system in the brain interprets sounds incorrectly. This causes noises and words to become garbled and leads to miscommunication and frustration. There is hope, however! Following best practices in audiology, our experts offer cutting-edge treatments for Auditory Processing Disorder in Rupert.
APD in Adults
An adult suffering from APD has difficulty with language processing, which inhibits their ability to listen and understand conversation. This can lead to difficulties in social, educational, and work environments. APD can develop in adults as a result of a traumatic brain injury, like a concussion, illness, exposure to different sounds, or changes in environment.
Common signs to look for are:
- Difficulty understanding phone conversations
- Inability to separate speech from background sounds
- Trouble with memory recall
- Running words together, or dropping sounds from words when speaking
- Poor reading comprehension
- Lack of ability to maintain focus
APD in Children
The cause of APD in children is unknown, however, around 7% of children have APD and experience difficulty communicating and learning both at home and at school. APD often mimics the same symptoms as ADHD.
Children with APD often have the following symptoms:
- Trouble listening, reading, spelling & memorizing facts
- Difficulty understanding & following directions
- Easily distracted
- Require additional time to process & understand information
Diagnosis & Treatment
APD diagnosis includes a series of tests to determine how your brain interprets speech and sound comprehension in both quiet and noisy environments. We will ask you a series of questions, observe your behaviors, and test your ability to differentiate between speech and sound.
Treatment options include speech and language therapy to discriminate sounds more clearly, develop listening skills, and improve listening comprehension. Early intervention and treatment are critical to achieving the best outcome.
For adults seeking treatment following diagnosis, we recommend consulting with The Auditory Processing Network. For children in whom APD may be a concern, limited evaluations are possible at age 3, with definitive testing available at age 5 or older. We have partnered with Acoustic Pioneer to provide iPad and PC-based therapy modules. Our clinic will also be providing APD therapy in the near future!
For additional information on how our brain hears, here are some great additional resources:
Learn More About Auditory Processing Disorder in Rupert Today!
To learn more about treatment for APD from Mt. Harrison Audiology, give us a call at 208.312.0957 today! Our friendly team will be happy to answer all your questions and provide you with more information.
We also invite you to CLICK HERE to request your complimentary, no-obligation Mt. Harrison Audiology Communication Consultation. Your new patient consultation includes a review of your medical history, an in-depth discussion of your hearing loss concerns and goals, and an explanation of our process, for FREE.
We are also now proudly offering virtual APD testing for both new and potential patients (no obligation or referral necessary). To learn more about this process, please call us at 208.312.0957 or CLICK HERE to request your virtual appointment.
Come experience 5-star-rated care from our experienced audiologists – we can’t wait to make you the newest member of our Mt. Harrison Audiology family!
As one of the premier hearing care centers in Rupert, ID, our team at Mt. Harrison Audiology also provides 5-star-rated hearing services to patients from Burley, Twin Falls, Filer, Malta, Kimberly, Jerome, Heyburn, Paul & Declo, ID, and surrounding areas.