Audio Sensory Processing Disorder

It is estimated that between 3 and 5 percent of children who are of school age are diagnosed with an audio sensory processing disorder. The condition is also diagnosed in adults, but the majority of instances found are over the age of 60. Normal ear functions involve sound originating at the eardrum and transforming the sounds into neural signals that can be recognized by the brain. But for a person who has been diagnosed with audio sensory processing disorder, there is a breach in the hearing process.

Identification

• Audio sensory processing disorder or simply, audio processing disorder (APD) is a sensory disorder in which the auditory processing within the brain fails to properly recognize and interpret sound. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), people who experience APD have difficulty recognizing very minor differences in words that sound alike despite the fact that the words are spoken with clarity and at an audible level.

Causes

• The cause of audio sensory processing disorder is not completely understood but connections have been found between the condition and chronic ear infections. Kids Health also explains that head injuries and lead poisoning may also play a role in developing the disorder. But in some instances, there is virtually no evidence to corroborate that head trauma or any other illness has attributed to the development of audio sensory processing disorder, therefore, the reasons for the disorder remain unknown.

Symptoms

• The symptoms of audio sensory processing disorder vary and are not indicative of any underlying conditions or decreased intelligence. In fact, people who are diagnosed with the condition may show no other signs of hearing loss and physical or mental impairments. The University of Rochester Medical Center explains that there are certain behaviors and tasks that people who have APD experience because of their recognition problems. A person with APD may have difficulties verbalizing and engaging in long conversations, understanding what is read, taking notes and learning a foreign language. He may also have trouble understanding what is spoken in a loud setting and also have trouble carrying on phone conversations. It is also important to note that the task of recognizing the sound of notes on a musical scale can also be problematic for people with APD.

Diagnosis

• An auditory processing test is performed when the audio sensory processing disorder is suspected. However, many audiologists only recommend performing the test on children ages seven and above. Waiting for the child to reach seven years old ensures that the neurons in the brain have matured enough to get a reliable result. Experts at Appalachian Audiology of Knoxville, Tennessee report that the auditory processing test is capable of conclusively determining where the auditory processing difficulties originate, so that strategies can be devised to address the recognition deficit.

Treatments

• The understanding and development of treatment options for people with audio sensory processing disorder continue to expand. In the book titled "When the Brain Can't Hear: Unraveling the Mystery of Auditory Processing," author Teri James Bellis reveals that there is no "single" treatment that can resolve the disorder. The complexity of the disorder makes it necessary to utilize a combination of methods to help with hearing recognition. For this reason, therapists will use various techniques, such as auditory memory enhancement, electronic auditory trainers, environmental modifications and auditory integration to help correct hearing distortion.