Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is often misunderstood, which can create confusion about what it really means and how it affects individuals. People with APD usually have normal hearing, but their brains struggle to interpret and make sense of sounds, especially speech in noisy environments. Clinical Lead Jordon Thompson debunks three of the most common misconceptions about APD and explains what’s really happening behind this complex disorder.
1. Auditory processing problems are the same as a hearing problem
This is fundamentally not true. A useful analogy is that of a computer: the ears are like the keyboard, and the brain is like the processor.
The keyboard is used to input information into the computer, while the processor interprets that information and displays it on the screen.
If there’s an issue with the keyboard (the ears), the information will appear incorrectly on the screen, not because the processor couldn’t handle it but because the input was faulty. This is similar to hearing loss.
However, if the keyboard is working fine but the processor (the brain) isn’t functioning properly, the information will still display incorrectly, not because it was entered incorrectly but because the processor couldn’t make sense of it.
This is how APD can work. Individuals with APD often have normal or near-normal hearing, but their brains struggle to process and interpret what they hear. APD isn’t about the ears not hearing; it’s about the brain not understanding.
2. APD is just another name for ADHD, dyslexia, or autism
While ADHD, dyslexia, and autism can co-occur with APD, they are separate conditions with different underlying mechanisms. In other words, they affect the brain’s processing abilities in different ways.
· ADHD affects attention regulation and executive control.
· Dyslexia affects reading and language processing.
· APD affects how the brain processes and interprets auditory information.
The symptoms of these conditions can sometimes overlap, which may lead to misdiagnosis. It is also possible for one condition to influence or exacerbate the symptoms of another.
APD is a unique auditory processing difficulty, not simply a symptom of another disorder.
3. Only hearing aids will solve APD
Hearing aids are amplification tools that help make sounds more audible by, among other things, providing more volume to speech sounds. With APD, audibility and loudness are often not the problem, as it is a processing issue at the brain level rather than at the ear. Traditional amplification may therefore not be helpful.
Devices such as FM systems or remote microphones, which deliver clearer speech signals and reduce the impact of background noise, can be useful. Additionally, training exercises and personal listening strategies can improve the brain’s ability to better process and recognise speech sounds in noisy environments.
In short, APD requires tailored supports and strategies that target auditory processing, not just louder sound.
Understanding APD is key to providing the right support. It is not about hearing loss but about how the brain processes sound. With the right management plan, individuals with APD can improve their ability to understand speech and succeed in everyday life. If you’d like find out more or book an appointment, call us on 020 7486 1053 or complete our contact form.
