It is estimated that around 5% of all school-age children have auditory processing disorder (APD).  In this disorder, the brain and the ears don’t coordinate well, so the sounds that make up words are often misheard, or misunderstood.  Children with APD often have trouble with speech and language.  Although their hearing may be normal, and they can understand things fine when in a quiet room, adding background noise (which is present to some degree in any environment), causes their brains to lose focus and misunderstand the sounds they hear.

Understanding APD

Oftentimes, APD is misdiagnosed as ADHD.  While APD is a type of learning disability it requires separate attention. Some children, however, can have both APD and ADHD. Children with APD are often startled by loud noises, have trouble concentrating in noisy areas, have difficulty following conversations or struggle with reading and writing. No one understands exactly what causes APD, but head trauma, chemical poisoning and chronic ear infections may play a role in its development. It can also be hereditary. Until recently, the most common therapeutical approach was to see an audiologist (hearing specialist) or a speech pathologist to help improve their language and listening skills.

Neuro-cognitive training is a much newer approach, and is now regarded one of the most effective methods of resolving the problems associated with APD.  Neuro-cognitive training teaches the brain how to focus and process auditory information in regular as well as in less than optimal conditions (such as a noisy room) and helps to re-train the brain to pay attention and effectively process auditory information from the moment it’s received through the ear until it’s sorted and made ready for retrieval.  To learn more about how using this powerful training program may benefit you or your child with APD, contact ACE Clinics to set up a consultation.  Our specialist will conduct a thorough test to help identify the core weaknesses and recommend a treatment program to correct them using safe, effective, non-prescription methods.

If you or someone you love is affected by APD, it’s worth scheduling a consultation with ACE Clinics.  Our professionals specialize in assessment as well as non-prescription neuro-cognitive treatments, which can help to restore optimal brain function.