Auditory Processing Activities Online

Auditory processing refers to how the brain interprets and uses auditory information. The brain must process verbal and nonverbal information on an ongoing basis to ensure proper learning, memory and comprehension of spoken words and sounds. Much research has been conducted on what can go wrong when auditory processing is deficient.



A 2008 study conducted by Dr. Timothy Roberts of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Radiology Department used magnetoencephalography (MEG) in a group of autism-spectrum children to examine the impact of diminished auditory processing on speech. He found that "there is a small but robust delay in the evoked response to simple sound processing in children with autism, compared with their age-matched peers. Although we are only talking about fractions of a second, these can have a catastrophic impact on spoken language."



As such, auditory processing can influence the way speech develops, as well as the ways in which it is understood. Though a thorough audiology or neuropsychological evaluation should be completed to detect deficits in auditory processing, there are simple ways to strengthen auditory processing via online activities.

Nonverbal Auditory Processing

• In the common neuropsychological test series, The Halstead Reitan Battery, nonverbal auditory processing is measured using the Seashore Rhythm Test. This tests asks participants to listen to two rhythmic patterns and then decide if they are the same or different. An easy way to practice this skill online would be to access any website with instrumental-only music and listen to recordings, trying to distinguish similar and different musical styles, beats and speed.

Verbal Tests

• One aspect of verbal auditory processing is the ability to attend to more than one level of speech at a time. In her test of language lateralization in children, Doreen Kimura created the Dichotic Listening Test, which requires children to listen to words using each ear individually and then simultaneously. The thought was that Kimura could better understand how people process two levels of auditory stimuli at once. An interesting way to practice bilateral listening using online means is to listen at once to both to an online video and a movie on a television in the same room and try to record details from each.

Musical Tests

• Another way to engage auditory processing lies in music. As with her verbal listening and attending measure, Kimora created a musical auditory processing test based on an ability to recall musical segments. In Kimora's test, the participant listens to a nonverbal musical selection for about 10 seconds. Then, the subject listens to three 10-second segments. Two are foils, and one is the previously heard song. The participant must identify the correct segment. Using an online sampler of music, this could be recreated by asking a friend to help out. Such an exercise would activate musical comprehension and recall aspects of auditory processing.