Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)

Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is not a hearing impairment, but an inability to process what is being heard. It describes a variety of problems with the brain that interfere with the processing of auditory information.

Processing auditory information goes beyond just hearing. It involves the brain’s ability to sort through the sounds and make sense of all the incoming information. It also requires the ability to effectively separate meaningful messages from the non-essential background sounds and deliver that information with good clarity to the brain.

Where this process does not work well, distorted information will be received. The extra effort required to make sense of this distorted input can lead to tiredness and, in more severe cases, to ‘tuning out’ or ‘switching off’ and retracting into their own world.

Some signs of Central Auditory Processing Disorder may include:

• Distractibility
• Bothered by loud or sudden noises
• Improvement in ability when in quieter settings
• Difficulty following verbal directions
• Difficulty following multi-step directions
• Difficulty following long conversations
• Delay in processing input, elaboration or output
• Difficulty hearing conversations on the telephone
• Reading, spelling, writing or language difficulties
• Difficulties in understanding abstract information
• Difficulty taking notes
• Disorganisation
• Forgetfulness