A teacher might think you are not listening or paying attention because you misunderstand what is said or assignment instructions. In actuality, you are just not processing the information correctly. Although there is no cure for APD, this disability can be corrected with various strategies for altering the listening environment. These are strategies that can be used at home or in school.

At home or school (when addressing someone with APD)

When Speaking

Notify the person before speaking to him or her
Speak slowly
Use concrete ideas (concepts are more difficult to grasp)
Do NOT give a child multi-step instructions or large amounts of info all at once
Eliminate background noise and other distractions

Language-Building Skills
Increase the ability to expand his or her vocabulary and language base

Auditory Memory Enhancement
Presenting detailed information in a more basic form can be useful. A personal treatment plan can also be devised depending on the person’s individual deficiencies.

Auditory Integration Training
Some practitioners believe that retraining the hearing system and decreasing sound distortion. The effectiveness of this method of treatment is still being researched.

At school

Increase the volume of desired signal

Auditory Trainers
This electronic device helps a person focus his or her attention on the desired signal (speaker), as well as to tune out background noise. A teacher or professor in a lecture situation can use this to transmit the sound of his voice; a student with a headset can receive it more clearly. This can be used is addition to a hearing aid.
Particular seating assignment (disordered student closer to teacher)

Improve the signal quality

Alter the acoustics in the room (tiles, drapes, carpets)
Present information visually (as well as orally)
Teacher should stand facing the class, not the chalkboard