What is APD?
Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), also known as APD, refers to auditory difficulties that arise not from problems with the ears but from irregularities in the central nervous system. The person hears normally, yet their brain analyses auditory signals inefficiently.
CAPD can affect speech development, auditory memory and articulation, and cause hypersensitivity to sound. At BELMED® we take a holistic approach, combining a reliable assessment with modern therapy methods.
What it is
An assessment of how the brain analyses and differentiates sounds.
Who it is for
Children with learning difficulties and adults who get lost in noise.
How it works
An assessment of up to 90 minutes, a discussion and a therapy plan.
How does APD show up day to day?
The child hears but does not always understand. At school and at home, where there are many sounds, the brain cannot keep up with analysing speech. The symptoms are often confused with ADHD, attention disorders or delayed speech development, which is why an accurate diagnosis matters so much.
- gets lost in noise and does not understand speech when other sounds are in the background
- tires quickly and loses focus when listening
- has difficulty distinguishing similar speech sounds
- learns to read and write more slowly and confuses letters
- does not remember spoken instructions and asks for them to be repeated
- needs visual cues to keep up with an instruction
- can be hypersensitive to sound, which causes tension and frustration
- its difficulties are often mistaken for ADHD or inattention
Three types of central auditory disorders
At BELMED® we differentiate CAPD by its origin. Each type calls for a different therapeutic approach.
Developmental
They appear from the earliest years, without a clear medical cause. Detected early, they respond best to therapy.
Acquired
They follow a specific event, such as a head injury, oxygen deprivation or an infection affecting the nervous system.
Secondary
They accompany other hearing or developmental disorders. We plan therapy alongside treatment of the underlying cause.
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