To understand the extent of a hearing disorder, one must first really understand what it means to hear. Hearing is the ability to identify sounds. However, there is more to being able to hear and listen effectively. After the ear physically detects sound, you have to put together and comprehend the aural information (sound). Hearing is listening and understanding the presented information.

Put very simply, sound waves travel to the brain through neurological pathways (information transporters), are arranged into recognizable patterns, and you ultimately receive the intended message. Incorrect or incomplete transmission of the acoustic signal causes an irregular processing of this information. In essence, a person with auditory processing delay or impairment can hear sound, but has trouble putting it together properly. The cause is a disorder in one or more of the following auditory processes required for hearing, listening and properly interpreting sound and verbal messages.

Auditory Processes (necessary to hear)

Sound localization or lateralization

Auditory discrimination

Auditory pattern recognition

Recognition of temporal aspects of audition

Auditory performance while competing with acoustic or degraded signals

Necessary for Auditory Processing

Auditory attention (selection of certain stimuli)

Auditory memory (ability to pay attention, listen, and recall information)

Motivation

Maturation & ability to put sound patterns together
Decision-making skills
Use of linguistic cues (grammar, context clues, vocabulary)

Note: Don’t worry if these terms seem a little confusing. But when you visit a doctor or encounter this medical terminology (also known as – really confusing words), you will at least be familiar with them and at a slight advantage over those who haven’t heard of them before.

Risk Factors

Poor academic performance

Family history of Central Auditory Processing Disorder

Family history of peripheral hearing loss (reduction/distortion of auditory signals); must be ruled out or confirmed before making APD diagnosis

Family history of Otitis Media in early childhood

Familial handedness (which is dominant hand) can predict how the brain organizes, and then processes language

Hypersensitivity to loud sounds; easily distracted in noisy environment

Speech or language delays (behind for developmental age)