Auditory Processing Disorder
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Auditory Processing Disorder
(APD)
Auditory processing disorder can be found in individuals
with and without hearing loss, and usually begins
in childhood.
It isn’t necessarily related to hearing loss, and it isn’t a learning issue or sign of lower intelligence. The brain simply doesn’t "hear," or process, speech and sounds in the usual way. People with APD complain of some or all of the following challenges:
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Difficulty understanding/hearing what is being said when there are competing voices or environmental sounds
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Feeling like people speak too quickly or "mumble"
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Trouble with paying attention to the thing or person they should be listening to while tuning out other sounds
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Problems following multi-step directions or remembering lists Inaccuracy with identifying the location of sound
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Non-enjoyment of music (pitch and timing perception is off)
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Poor auditory memory
Other symptoms of APD Other symptoms can also be observed in both APD and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as:
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Distractibility
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Inattention
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Poor listening skills
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Academic difficulties
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Difficulty following directions