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Auditory Processing Disorder
What Is Auditory Processing?
Auditory processing is the brain’s ability to make sense of the sounds we hear. It’s not about how well the ears detect sound — it’s about how the brain interprets and organises that sound into meaningful information, like understanding speech, following conversations, and recognising where sounds come from. For example, when someone says “cat,” your ears detect the sound waves, but it’s your brain that identifies the word and gives it meaning.
When auditory processing works well, listening feels effortless. But when there’s a breakdown in this system, sounds may be heard clearly — yet not understood accurately.
What Is an Auditory Processing Disorder? An Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) occurs when the brain has difficulty interpreting or processing what the ears hear.People with an auditory processing disorder typically have normal hearing but struggle to understand speech — especially in noisy environments, over the phone, or when instructions are given quickly. Auditory processing disorder can affect both children and adults, and symptoms can range from mild to significant.
Common signs of APD may include: Difficulty understanding speech in noisy places.Frequently asking for repetition (“What?” or “Pardon?”).Trouble following multi-step directions.Mishearing similar-sounding words.Poor listening skills or attention during spoken tasks.Difficulty remembering auditory information.
How Common are Auditory Processing Disorders? Research suggests that around 2–5% of school-aged children and approximately 10–20% of adults may experience some form of APD. It’s often underdiagnosed, because symptoms can appear similar to attention or learning issues.
Children with an auditory processing disorder may struggle in the classroom and tune out and sometimes fidget and become disruptive for other students.
Adults with an auditory processing disorder often avoid situations where they struggle and sometimes become more isolated. In the workplace some adults feel they are held back from certain positions because of their hearing difficulties.
How Do We Test For Auditory Processing Disorder? An APD assessment is conducted over two appointments. At the first appointment a comprehensive hearing test is undertaken to rule out any peripheral hearing loss. An auditory processing screening test and questionnaire will be conducted to learn more about the areas of processing difficulty.
The second appointment is for the comprehensive APD assessment. Sometimes this is conducted over two sessions to prevent a child from fatiguing during the test. Typically, the second appointment takes about 90 minutes to undertake.
What Happens If APD is diagnosed? If an APD is diagnosed, a tailored management plan can make a real difference.This may include:Auditory training therapy to strengthen listening skills.Environmental modifications (e.g., better classroom acoustics or assistive listening devices).Communication strategies for families, teachers, or workplaces.Hearing technology support where appropriate (such as remote microphone systems).
With proper diagnosis and management, people with APD can significantly improve their listening and communication abilities.
How much does an APD assessment cost? A comprehensive APD assessment, including all appointments costs $795.00. With a referral Medicare rebates do cover some of this cost.
When auditory processing works well, listening feels effortless. But when there’s a breakdown in this system, sounds may be heard clearly — yet not understood accurately.
What Is an Auditory Processing Disorder? An Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) occurs when the brain has difficulty interpreting or processing what the ears hear.People with an auditory processing disorder typically have normal hearing but struggle to understand speech — especially in noisy environments, over the phone, or when instructions are given quickly. Auditory processing disorder can affect both children and adults, and symptoms can range from mild to significant.
Common signs of APD may include: Difficulty understanding speech in noisy places.Frequently asking for repetition (“What?” or “Pardon?”).Trouble following multi-step directions.Mishearing similar-sounding words.Poor listening skills or attention during spoken tasks.Difficulty remembering auditory information.
How Common are Auditory Processing Disorders? Research suggests that around 2–5% of school-aged children and approximately 10–20% of adults may experience some form of APD. It’s often underdiagnosed, because symptoms can appear similar to attention or learning issues.
Children with an auditory processing disorder may struggle in the classroom and tune out and sometimes fidget and become disruptive for other students.
Adults with an auditory processing disorder often avoid situations where they struggle and sometimes become more isolated. In the workplace some adults feel they are held back from certain positions because of their hearing difficulties.
How Do We Test For Auditory Processing Disorder? An APD assessment is conducted over two appointments. At the first appointment a comprehensive hearing test is undertaken to rule out any peripheral hearing loss. An auditory processing screening test and questionnaire will be conducted to learn more about the areas of processing difficulty.
The second appointment is for the comprehensive APD assessment. Sometimes this is conducted over two sessions to prevent a child from fatiguing during the test. Typically, the second appointment takes about 90 minutes to undertake.
What Happens If APD is diagnosed? If an APD is diagnosed, a tailored management plan can make a real difference.This may include:Auditory training therapy to strengthen listening skills.Environmental modifications (e.g., better classroom acoustics or assistive listening devices).Communication strategies for families, teachers, or workplaces.Hearing technology support where appropriate (such as remote microphone systems).
With proper diagnosis and management, people with APD can significantly improve their listening and communication abilities.
How much does an APD assessment cost? A comprehensive APD assessment, including all appointments costs $795.00. With a referral Medicare rebates do cover some of this cost.
Where we are
Our clinic is located at Suite 4, 418 Kingsway, Caringbah in the Sutherland Shire.