Auditory Processing is how the brain receives sounds and what it does with these message. This ability is quite different to our ability to actually perceive “hear” the volume of sounds which is done in the cochlea (the organ of hearing). A person who has an Auditory Processing Disorder will generally have a normal ability to hear sounds in terms of volume, but may be confused by what the sounds are.

APD is a broad term as it is used to describe a number of areas along the neural pathway from the organ of hearing (the cochlea) to the hearing part of the brain (the auditory cortex) where problems may arise in the way an individual interprets sounds. Hence a battery of tests are used to identify where the listening difficulties are occurring so that the most appropriate remediation is recommended.

Individuals who have normal peripheral hearing yet still experience difficulties comprehending or recalling what is said to them may have what is termed an Auditory Processing Disorder; also known as a Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). The effects of an APD are often more noticeable in the presence of any competing noise. For example, the person may see that they are being spoken to but simply cannot make out what is being said to them. An APD can also be present with a peripheral hearing loss. It is important to note that an APD assessment is not a measure of an individual’s intelligence but rather how well the brain processes the auditory information it receives.