Central auditory processing disorder
What is CAPD?
Although we hear with our ears, it is our brain that makes sense of the information we hear. If our brain is unable to correctly process what is said, that information may be misunderstood or lost. This is known as a central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) or auditory processing disorder (APD).
What is the effect of a CAPD?
Efficient processing of auditory information is very important for children and adults to be successful in learning and communication. A CAPD will have an impact on educational achievement, social development, relationships and general emotional well being.
When should a CAPD assessment be carried out?
A CAP assessment is recommended for children and adults with:
- attention, listening, learning and reading/spelling problems,
- particularly if the child has a history of regular middle ear infections: as a fluctuating hearing loss may cause a delay in the development of the central auditory pathway.
- CAPD associated conditions such as dyslexia and ADD/ADHD.
CAPD Testing is suitable for children aged 7 upward and adults. Before age 7, there is too wide a range of auditory processing abilities to make reliable comparisons. Although most children with CAPD have normal hearing, a standard hearing assessment is first carried out. This takes half an hour, and we request that you arrange this as a first step.
If there are concerns with regard to auditory processing in children, then parent and teacher screening questionnaires covering an extensive range of related issues will be provided. Once they have been returned, Ms Myriam Westcott will evaluate the questionnaire responses and contact you (the parent) to discuss them. If they indicate a likelihood of auditory processing difficulties, she will recommend that a full CAPD evaluation be carried out.
What tests are used to assess CAPD?
We have carried out research into the various contemporary approaches to the evaluation of central auditory processing (CAP) and have put together a comprehensive test battery. This allows us to analyse the complex underlying mechanisms of CAP, as follows:
- dichotic listening (processing different sounds presented to both ears at the same time)
- temporal processing (processing time-related cues in sounds - critical for speech and music perception)
- pitch perception (discrimination between similar sounds, as well as following intonation cues in speech)
- the ability to understand distorted speech
- the ability to understand speech in competing noise
- binaural interaction (the way both ears work together - critical for speech in noise discrimination and localising sound)
- auditory memory
The CAP tests we use have been selected to identify weaknesses or problems in each of these areas.
CAP testing is relatively demanding, and parents are advised to arrange morning appointments when their children are most alert. The testing takes one hour. We provide a detailed report discussing the questionnaire responses, test results in comparison to (Australian if available) children of the same age with normal auditory processing abilities and rehabilitative recommendations.
What happens once a CAPD has been diagnosed?
The central auditory pathway continues to mature up to the age of 12 years. Children with a CAPD may have a delay in this process, so there is potential for improvement if a CAPD is detected at a young age. If a CAPD is diagnosed, we recommend two yearly retesting up to the age of 15 to monitor progress.
Strategies will be given to support any specific CAPD weaknesses identified. The use of an assistive listening device in the classroom may be recommended, which we are able to provide and fit. We do not carry out CAPD rehabilitation, which is available from speech pathologists specialising in this area, and are happy to arrange referrals.
Rehabilitation websites (training/home use material)
There are various computer based programs available for CAPD rehabilitation. These are administered via a speech pathologist.
EAROBICS Program, Cognitive Concepts, Inc, Box 1363, Evanston, Illinois, USA
Website: http://www.cogcon.com
Australian Supplier: Unicom Education, 26A Anthony Street, South Perth, WA 6151
Ph: (08) 9474 9705, email: unicomeducaiton@ozemail.com.au
Fast for Word Program, Scientific Learning Corporation, 1995 University Avenue, suite 400, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA
Website: http://www.scilearn.com