Some APD symptoms are similar to symptoms of other types of hearing disorders, but APD differs in that it is not detected by standard hearing tests. APD should be suspected when there are reports of poor hearing and auditory comprehension in some circumstances despite normal results on standard hearing tests.

Some common symptoms are listed below:

• difficulty following spoken directions unless they are brief and simple

• difficulty attending to and remembering spoken information

• slowness in processing spoken information

• difficulty understanding in the presence of other sounds

• being overwhelmed by complex or “busy” auditory environments e.g., classrooms, shopping malls

• undue sensitivity to loud sounds or noise

• poor listening skills

• difficulty with reading or spelling

• preference for loud television volume

• insensitivity to tone of voice or other nuances of speech

(from: NEW ZEALAND GUIDELINES ON AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDER 2019: GENERAL SUMMARY)

Our specialized APD testing offers a thorough evaluation of auditory processing abilities of children ages 7 and above. Conducted by experienced audiologists using cutting-edge technology, our assessments pinpoint potential deficits in auditory processing, including auditory discrimination, auditory memory, temporal processing, binaural integration and listening in noise.

Our testing process typically involves a series of carefully designed auditory tasks and assessments, tailored to the individual's age and specific needs. These may include:

1. Auditory Discrimination: Assessing the ability to differentiate between similar sounds or speech sounds in various environments.

2. Auditory Memory: Testing the ability to recall and retain auditory information over short or long periods.

3. Temporal Processing: Examining the perception of timing cues in auditory stimuli.

4. Binaural Integration: Assessing how well the brain integrates information from both ears to process sound effectively.

5. Listening in Noise: Assessing the ability to focus and to speech in the presence of background noise which is coming from different directions.

Following the assessment, our audiologists provide detailed insights into the individual's auditory processing abilities and offer personalized recommendations for intervention, management, and support.

Don't let auditory processing challenges hinder communication and learning. Schedule an APD testing appointment today to unlock a clearer understanding of your child’s auditory capabilities and pave the way for improved communication and academic success.