“Auditory processing is what the brain does with what the ears hear.”

-Jack Katz, Ph.D., CCC-A/SLP

Auditory Processing is how we process and use the information that we hear. Our ears hear the sounds, but then our brain must take that information and make it useful.

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) causes problems accurately and efficiently processing the information that we hear. Most often, a standard audiological assessment will show hearing to be within normal limits, but the patients are struggling considerably in their everyday lives.

APD is often diagnosed in children, but it also occurs within the adult population.

What does Auditory Processing Disorder look like?

• Difficulty understanding speech in the presence of background noise
• Difficulty remembering auditory information (letters, names, numbers, instructions, etc.)
• Delayed responses to questions or instructions
• Responding inconsistently or inappropriately
• Frequency asking for information to be repeated
• Difficulty attending or avoiding distraction
• Difficulty following complex auditory directions
• Difficulty with sound localization
• Reading, spelling, and learning problems
• Difficulty organizing sounds in proper sequence

Diagnosing an Auditory Processing Disorder

Auditory Processing Disorders can only be diagnosed by an Audiologist. It should include a comprehensive audiogram and specialized tests that measure the ability to process various types of auditory input. 

Treatment Options

Auditory Processing Disorder is manageable with various therapy and treatment options. It may include a team of professionals, including but not limited to audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and physicians.

APD will never go away, but there are many strategies to improve one’s processing abilities and confidence in everyday situations.

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with understanding the world around them, call 4 Bridges Audiology today!



We offer assessment and therapy options to improve auditory processing abilities for ages 5 and above.