Central auditory processing disorder is a term that is used to describe difficulties in listening that are secondary to the central auditory nervous system. This disorder affects up to 5% of school aged children, and can lead to poor hearing, difficulties understanding speech, and difficulty following directions.
Central auditory processing disorder is often diagnosed in children. Children who have this disorder are thought to hear sounds normally but are not able to process or recognize the differences in sounds. Those who suffer from this disorder can be labeled as poor listeners, or feel overwhelmed in large classrooms, playgrounds, at parties or any other large social gathering.
The signs and symptoms of central auditory processing disorder can vary based on severity. Some of the symptoms most commonly found in children include:
The symptoms of this condition are vague, and often are misdiagnosed as other neurologic disorders such as Autism, ADHD or even speech language disorders.
To diagnose a central auditory processing disorder, the patient must visit an Audiologist, or a hearing specialist. These providers can test a child’s hearing and determine if they are hearing and processing everything correctly. They use a variety of tests to determine how well a child processes sounds. Based on this type of testing, a child needs to be old enough to fully understand and follow directions.
Once a patient is diagnosed with a central auditory processing disorder, treatment is focused on learning strategies to develop the auditory pathway in the brain. School and work accommodations can be made to help the child benefit from quiet learning environments, individual projects, and other learning opportunities.
Central Auditory Processing Disorder is a disorder in which the brain and auditory sounds do not fully connect. The cause is unknown, but researchers believe that there is something that interferes with the way the brain recognizes sounds and speech. This leads to a variety of symptoms. With an early diagnosis, auditory processing disorders can be managed and children can have the opportunity to succeed in school and in their future careers.