Central Auditory Processing Disorder

Do you or your child have difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, following/remembering oral directions or distinguishing between similar sounds? These could be signs of Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), a condition that affects how the brain processes auditory information. CAPD refers to the brain’s ability to effectively and efficiently use auditory information to interpret sound, communicate and for education.

People with CAPD often experience difficulty with:

• Difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments

• Trouble following spoken directions

• Difficulty distinguishing between similar sounds

• Problems with reading and spelling

• Taking longer to respond to people talking to them

• Frequently asking others to repeat themselves

These symptoms can affect academic performance, social interactions and overall quality of life.

CAPD can be caused by several factors including:

• Developmental issues: CAPD often starts in childhood and can be linked to developmental delays.

• Head trauma: Injuries to the head can affect the brain's ability to process auditory information.

• Auditory deprivation: Recurrent ear infections, fluctuating hearing loss and lack of stimulation of the auditory system can be factors affecting auditory processing development.

CAPD is typically treatable with appropriate therapy interventions. Management depends on the specific area of auditory processing that needs to be strengthened:

• Auditory training: Exercises designed to improve the brain's ability to process sounds.

• Environmental modifications: Strategies to reduce background noise and improve listening conditions.

• Speech-language therapy: Specified therapy programs to improve auditory processing and language skills with our Speech-Language Pathologist.

Treatments are determined by a collaboration of our interdisciplinary team of providers including an otolaryngologist, audiologist and speech-language pathologist. If you or a loved one are exhibiting symptoms consistent with auditory processing deficits, talk to your primary care doctor about your symptoms. If you don’t have a primary care doctor, call (574) 537-5000.