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LD Basics   |   Related Issues   |   Information Processing
Auditory Processing Disorders
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By NCLD-Editorial Staff
Published: March 6 2009
There are several different ways the brain processes auditory information. If there is a weakness in a particular kind of auditory processing, it may be observed through specific types of behavior.

Below is an explanation of the different types of auditory processing. Each category also includes possible difficulties that can occur if there is a weakness in that area, and possible strategies that may help overcome the difficulties.

Be aware that weakness can occur in one or more category at the same time.

It is important to note that many people without any kind of auditory processing disorder experience problems with learning and behavior from time to time. However, if a person consistently displays difficulties with these tasks over time, testing for auditory processing disorders by trained professionals should be considered.

 

Auditory Discrimination

 

The Skill — The ability to notice, compare and distinguish the distinct and separate sounds in words. This skill is vital for reading.

 

Difficulties you observe

 

  • Learning to read
  • Distinguishing difference between similar sounds. Example: Seventy and seventeen
  • Understanding spoken language, following directions and remembering details
  • Seems to hear but not listen

 

Types of Helpful Strategies

 

  • Practice rhyming, segmenting words into syllables, segmenting compound words, sound-blending and using similar sounding words (like obvious/oblivious).
  • Talk to student at a slow pace.
  • Give student one task at a time.

 

Auditory Figure-Ground Discrimination

 

The Skill — The ability to pick out important sounds from a noisy background.

 

Difficulties you observe

 

  • Distinguishing meaningful sounds from background noise
  • Staying focused on auditory information being given. Example: following verbal directions

 

Types of Helpful Strategies

 

  • Provide seating near audio source. Example: front of the class or near a video monitor
  • Eliminate unnecessary background noise during tasks. Example: TV, stereo, outdoor noise

 

Auditory Memory

 

The Skill — There are two kinds of auditory memory

 

  • Long-term auditory memory is the ability to remember something heard some time ago
  • Short-term auditory memory is the ability to recall something heard very recently

 

Difficulties you observe

 

  • Remembering people's names
  • Memorizing telephone numbers
  • Following multi-step directions
  • Recalling stories or songs

 

Types of Helpful Strategies

 

  • Offer written material to accompany lectures.
  • Strengthen note-taking skills.
  • Provide visual cues to differentiate information-for example, using different colored chalks to emphasize the most important material on the board or hand signals when moving on to another topic.

 

Auditory Sequencing

 

The Skill — The ability to understand and recall the order of words.

 

Difficulties you observe

 

  • Confusing multi-digit numbers, such as 74 and 47
  • Confusing lists and other types of sequences 
  • Remembering the correct order of a series of instructions

 

Types of Helpful Strategies

 

  • Provide written materials to accompany verbal instruction.
  • Use images or gestures to reinforce understanding and memory of a sequence or list.

 
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20 Comments

  1. I knew that my boyfriend had a problem I didn't know what it was but he told me that when he was in the 9th grade he got put into IEP and find out he has a Auditory Processing Disorder and it all makes sense now I understand why he doesnt really listen to me well he does but he does the wrong things al the time I don't want to go into details but he used to tell me "my brain just races and I don't know what to do I end up doing the wrong thing I'm sorry" I want to help him but slowly I am starting to feel helpless I tell him not to do one thing but he does it and then after tells me that he is sorry. If he was really sorry he wouldn't be doing the same thing all the time. Can it be he does the wrong things and lies to me all the time cause he has this disorder? Someone please tell me does having this disorder make someone lie cause they are scared they did something wrong and they don't want to get you mad ? Idk but yea I see hit his apd alot on him it's even affecting me :(

    Posted by: Melissa on Friday, 03 February 2012

  2. @Jennifer Koue my daughter also has processing difficulties, we were fortunate to get her into a vision therapy program, which did help with that. Check out www.covd.org for assistance in finding someone to help in your area. 20-20 vision is seeing clearly, not necessarily correctly!!!! check out this page for good illustrations of what it could be like for her http://childrensvision.com/reading.htm Good luck!

    Posted by: Lynn on Wednesday, 18 January 2012

  3. My daughter is 11 years old and has struggled in school since Kindergarten. I have asked the school for help, and have been told 'she is just slow' and will always need to be educated 'as if she is retarded'. She is NOT retarded and her pediatrician backed that up. Her main areas of struggle are reading, writing, and math. At the end of her 4th grade year my husband and I got an educational advocate involved, much to the schools dislike. She began demanding the same testings that we had asking for over 4 years and were denied. Come to find out my daughter had a severe Visual Tracking issue. This has affected her auditory processing. Not only could she not trust her eyes, she can not trust her ears. She has been on an IEP since kindergarten and in speech therapy. The school keeps telling me her hearing is 'normal', just like her vision 'is 20/20'. I am in the midst of trying to get a handle on this so my daughter can have the education that she deserves.

    Posted by: Jennifer Koue on Monday, 16 January 2012

  4. Marissa.....if you have a Facebook account, please check out these groups. There are so many parents just like us who help support and understand each other. https://www.facebook.com/groups/112592722097175/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/213243298737362/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/14521230810/

    Posted by: Debbie on Tuesday, 13 December 2011

  5. I am currently in the process of having my daughter evaluated. I am frustrated for her her. I had to request the evaluation because on paper she is not an at risk student, meaning simply that she is not failing . . yet. I know there is a barrier and am almost certain it is APD. I am going to school to be a teacher and was taking a course that highlighted learning disabilities, I had tears in my eyes when the video came on about APD because the child in the video could have been my daughter. Her school informed me I will have to get the testing done privately because they do not have an audiologist who specializes in APD. I am glad to know that we are not alone and that there is so much hope for her doing well. It just really irritates me that there is so little known about APD in the school systems.

    Posted by: Marissa on Tuesday, 15 November 2011

  6. Auditory processing disorders are some of the most frustrating difficulties a child can encounter, but fourtanately there are now effective auditory processing disorder treatments available that can help many students realize their full potential.

    Posted by: Gemm Learning on Friday, 28 October 2011

  7. If you or your child have been diagnosed with APD do not think you are alone nor less of a student/person/etc in any way. I was diagnosed with APD when I was four years old. I was given speech therapy, IEP, resource room. I was very behind in the beginning of my school years however through the help of my family, my school and a few amazing teachers I was able to catch up and even take AP classes in high school. I still have trouble processing auditory information from my professors however I have learned a few things over the years. TAKE NOTES and ASKS FOR OTHER PEOPLE's NOTES. IF YOUR STRUGGLING..BE HONEST. USUALLY THE TEACHER/PROFESSOR/EMPLOYER WILL ACCOMMODATE! I am now graduating college on the Dean's List and applying to law school. Having APD does not mean your stupid...we just have to be a little creative when it comes to education. Best to everyone.

    Posted by: Alexandra on Thursday, 06 October 2011

  8. So, is APD not a learding diability?

    Posted by: Gracie M. on Tuesday, 04 October 2011

  9. What I dont understand is why APD is NOT considered a Learning Disability? It is so fustrating!!!!! Does anyone know why it's not considered a disability?

    Posted by: patty whalon on Tuesday, 13 September 2011

  10. My son was diagnosed with APD last year, in first grade! I had a very hard time with the school to get them to retest him. I took the matter into my hands and had him tested outside of the school,where he failed all the testing!! He then recevied an IEP for speech and was tested by an APD audiologist. He failed all of the testing and was recommended for an FM device. He has been wearing the device now for a year and it really has helped him alot!!! He tells me he can hear so much better with it! Take matters into your hands, if the school is not willing to budge. We are the best advocates for are children. As much of a struggle as it was and all the heart ache that went into it, it was worth it in the end!!

    Posted by: patty whalon on Tuesday, 13 September 2011

  11. Thanks to the people that posted that have APD. My daughter was finally diagnosed with LPD/APD in the fifth grade she is now a sophmore in high school and things are still difficult for her. She tries so hard but the attitude is give up alot. She has trouble even with friendships its so hard as her mom to watch her struggle and at the same time I understand its hard for people to understand cause i still ahve a hard time understanding as you can see Im always studying things and looking ofr answer online because really your right there is not alot of things offered through school and I find that horrible they seem to just try and get them by but really we want her to improve and I want her to go to college and be able to understand it. Defiantly fight for your children I have been fighting for years now and I wont stop fighting for her and what she deserves which is a fair education and simply just a fair chance at life because so many are uneducated to this even in the schools!!!

    Posted by: Candy Torres on Friday, 09 September 2011

  12. Here are a few things I have learned... Educate yourself,employers and all the teachers involved find someone to test for CAPD Have your teachers allow you to repeat questions, hand your written note, you write your notes or even tape record the classroom so you can remember everything or help your child (one-on-one) find somewhere a little noise (no noise is better) use a pencil, paper, or bookmark and cover everything up so your mind only sees the sentence your trying to read (one word at a time)it might take you longer but you will be able to process it much better. Don't feel stupid or give up! You just have to "retrain" your mind. Which means slow your thought process better so you can retain the information needed. The younger you are the easier it gets. With the younger ones really watch out for their self-esteem! Always praise them! I hope this helps.

    Posted by: milly wilson on Tuesday, 06 September 2011

  13. I was diagnosed at 13. I am now 27 and have two boys. My older son has CAPD. CAPD can be inherited. It is a struggle for everyone with it.You might even find yourself more "defensive" of things because you are hearing a "tone" differently then what the person is trying to say. There is not alot of research being done because people classify it as "a hearing problem"..these are the people who really need to be educated on it. The is also not alot of help at "school level".

    Posted by: milly wilson on Tuesday, 06 September 2011

  14. My son has just been diagnosed with CAP disorder. He has found the first two and a half years at school a struggle. He confidence level was so low that we are currently seeing a phycologist. It was recommended by the OT have an assessment and although I was very sad about the diagnosis I hope that we will understand what he is going through and hopefully improve from here on. We are in early stages and would like to hear from anyone that has had results with any particular products or practices

    Posted by: Dionne Gray on Wednesday, 20 July 2011

  15. My 6 year old daughter has just been diagnosed with APD. She started Kindergarten and had scores across the board. After continuing school her scores dropped and for this she will repeat. It is like learning is going backwards. Her father and I are divorced and we split the school week. Her schedule is all over the place. Having said this, I already know how important routine is. Would it be better for her to be at 1 house for school week and stay at the other house over the weekends? I know she is constantly tired. As for school, would it be best for her to be in the front of the class where she would have less distractions? Any advice from someone who has this would be appreciated. Thank you

    Posted by: nicole on Tuesday, 19 July 2011

  16. Life with a disability can be difficult. The latest research shows that even as an adult our brains are pliable and can learn to do many things. Contact your local community college disability center and see if they can direct you to resources in your community to help you build some skills. Also contact the American Disabilities Association, they have some great ideas and resources to help you. Good luck!

    Posted by: Special Ed. Teacher on Friday, 15 July 2011

  17. Auditory Processing Disorders
    I was diagnosed in firts or second grade with APD, with all the knowledge ive learned i have still struggled in everyday tasks. I am now a younge single mother of two and i prey they dont have this learning disability, it was really hard in school and at home, people assume a learning disability just means your stupid. I am on probation at work now becouse im in battle with myself trying to work at a fastpace but also haveing to be effcient in a dr.s office can be a struggle. i just want the parents out there to really understand what APD is and help your child understand it to. I would of been very thankful if my parents took more time to help me understnd it,i find myself prepared for falure in everything i do and its not a good feeling.

    Posted by: susan meyers on Saturday, 09 July 2011

  18. Auditory Processing Disorders
    To Melissa, you are very luck to know this about your daughter so early. I have Auditory and visual memory problems and was not dx untill high school. The biggest thing I can reccomend is to get a tutor to help you at home but make sure the have experience with LD. Regular tutors do not have the skills to teach in a way that will help you daughter and may only make her frustrated and feel stupid. Experiences that I have had. Once my mum found a good tutor may maths came along in leaps and bounds. It may cost you more cash but it will help your daughter so much. They will also give you skills to help her at times when the tutor isnt there. Hope this helps.

    Posted by: Nicole on Thursday, 09 December 2010

  19. Auditory Processing Disorders
    My 6 year old daughter was just diagnosed with an Auditory Processing Disorder after two years of trying to figure out what was wrong. She has struggled through Pre-K and Kindergarten with very little help. I have been at a loss for what was going on and after her pediatrician refused to refer her to an ENT for a hearing evaluation, I took her problems in my own hands and made the referrals myself. Her Pediatrician was furious and therefore I "fired" him. I would appreciate any advice or suggestions to help get her caught up in school. She will begin Speech/Language Therapy soon but I want to do whatever I can help to help her at home.

    Posted by: Melissa Andrews on Friday, 20 August 2010

  20. Auditory Processing Disorders
    I am a 52 year old adult with APD, diagnosed 18 months ago after requesting assessment after receiving substandard with remarks that are classic APD symptoms. Is there anyone who specializes in APS in Huntsville Al 35801 that can help me with note taking,maybe even a hearing test to see if that is also an issue. I am having trouble with the pace and consistency of my job (sales). Is there help in Hunsville, Alabama

    Posted by: Laura M. Wright on Monday, 05 July 2010

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