Auditory Processing Clinic

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), also referred to as Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) can be seen in both adults and children and describes a variety of disorders that result in the breakdown in hearing and listening process. Common symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder include:

• Difficulty following speech in noisy environments
• Literacy or general academic development concerns
• Difficulties following instructions
• Language and/or speech delays
• Difficulty concentrating or paying attention
• Poor memory skills

The Auditory Processing Clinic at Melbourne Hearing Care Clinic can identify difficulties in interpreting the sounds heard, despite having normal hearing. We assess several specific skills and tailor a management plan to address any deficits that are identified. Skills assessed in a typical APD appointment might include:

• Hearing assessment (including testing of middle ear function)
• The ability to separate speech from background noise
• The ability to detect changes in the duration and timing of sound (temporal processing)
• The ability to detect differences between sounds
• The ability to integrate information that arrives at the two ears simultaneously (dichotic listening)
• Auditory memory
• Attention
• Screening of non-verbal intelligence

Auditory Processing Disorder is a complex problem thought to affect more than 5% of school-aged children. Individual management plans might include:

• Use of a personal remote microphone device to improve listening in noisy environments (e.g., the classroom)
• Speech therapy to strengthen language skills
• Specific auditory training using specialised software-based programs
• Communication strategies for the child, their parents, and educators

These services may incur additional fees.