Auditory Processing is basically the role the brain plays in the hearing process that ultimately enables us to develop learning skills. Essentially, it is our brain and not our ears that hear.
The ears play the part of sending raw information on for further analysis where, all being well, it is eventually deciphered by the hearing centers in our brain. How well the raw information is interpreted by the brain depends on our level of Auditory Processing skills that are primarily developed during the critical periods of language learning, between the ages of 0 to 3 years. This is the period when the brain is most prepared to map information from sounds or spoken words onto its language centres.
People with APD (sometimes referred to as central auditory processing delay CAPD) have difficulty understanding instructions and sustaining attention, particularly in the classroom environment where there is frequently competing background noise.
The reason why they experience difficulties processing information is because the sounds of the English language have not been sufficiently imprinted on the language centres of their brain. While there may be different causes for this, often children have experienced multiple middle-ear infections (including “Glue Ear”) during the period of critical language development of zero to four years old, whether or not these ear infections were recognised at the time.
Despite the prevalence of APD, its symptoms are still frequently misinterpreted as signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a hearing deficit, general learning difficulties, or even depression.
Indigo Learning programmes can help individuals with Auditory Processing Disorder
Parents may have tried various programmes and tutoring, with limited success and this may be because the intervention is not addressing the underlying processing deficit. It is as though the builders are trying to stabilise the roof before the walls are completely built. It is essential to establish fundamental oral language skills before learning to read and write.
Click here to see how our Fast ForWord programmes have helped individuals with Auditory Processing Disorder.