The Most Important Things to do After an Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) Diagnosis

Have you or a loved one recently received an auditory processing disorder (APD) diagnosis? Learn about treatment options, what to expect, and how to deal with day-to-day challenges.

By Ability Central

28 November, 2023

A young girl with wavy brown hair wears noise-cancelling headphones so she can focus on her homework while her younger brother tries to distract her

While an auditory processing disorder diagnosis can be overwhelming at first, the best course of action is prompt intervention. If you or a loved one has recently received an APD diagnosis, this article offers suggestions on your first steps to take.

We address your top questions, including:

  • How do I find a specialist who helps with auditory processing disorder?
  • How can coworkers and loved ones help someone diagnosed with APD?
  • What technology is available to help with the day-to-day challenges of APD?
  • What auditory processing disorder treatments are available?
  • What is the goal of treating APD in adults?
  • Where can I get more information about auditory processing disorder and similar conditions?

 

How do I find a specialist who helps with auditory processing disorder?

Auditory processing disorder can only be diagnosed by an audiologist, a medical professional specializing in hearing and balance disorders.

Parents of children with APD can often find excellent resources from their child’s school or pediatrician. Many schools and doctors’ offices keep a list of trusted, reputable specialists, so adults with APD can ask their family doctor or primary care physician (PCP) for recommendations as well. Your medical insurance provider may also have a list of recommended in-network audiologists.

In addition, Ability Central offers a national database of nonprofit organizations offering diagnosis and treatment for people with communication disabilities. The Service Locator tool allows you to search a wide range of service types, including:

  • Community organizations
  • Care programs for adults and children
  • Service centers

Each provider lists their location, specialties, and target demographic. 

 

How can coworkers and loved ones help someone diagnosed with APD?

The Mayo Clinic suggests the following ways to support person with APD:

  • Use a remote microphone to improve how well the person can hear in a noisy room.
  • Move closer to the person as you speak.
  • Use wall covers to eliminate or limit echoes where possible.
  • Speak slower, not louder.
  • In a class or meeting, take notes for the person so they can have a copy.
  • Change up your pitch or tone when someone with APD asks you to repeat yourself.
  • Put important information in writing, like emailing a follow-up after a conference call.
  • Use subtitles when watching TV.

 

What technology is available to help with the day-to-day challenges of APD?

There are many technologies available today that can improve communication for people with APD:

  • Personal listening devices (PLDs) can help people hear voices more clearly. The person speaking wears a clip-on microphone that transmits their voice to an earpiece or personal speaker worn by someone with APD.
  • Sound field systems are specialized speaker systems that help to distribute the speaker’s voice evenly throughout the room.
  • Noise-canceling headphones can help block out background noise for people sensitive to sound. 
  • Audio recorders allow people to record lectures or discussions.
  • Speech-to-text software, like real-time event captioning, translates spoken words into readable text.

A quality cell phone with accessibility features can help someone with APD understand speech and communicate more clearly. People with APD may benefit from apps that allow recording, playback, and text-to-speech translation. See Ability Central’s searchable list of recommended devices for more information.

 

What auditory processing disorder treatments are available?

Because APD is a neurological disorder, treatment is highly customized to the patient. What works for some people with APD may not work for others. 

Treatment might involve:

  • Auditory training to improve the function of the affected auditory processes. Audiologists use both recorded stimuli, like computerized tones and voices, and face-to-face interactions for auditory training. 
  • Strategies to compensate for weak listening ability, like asking for clarification or using a recording device. 
  • Environmental modifications for listeners, like choosing a seat based on its acoustics, blocking echoes and reverberation from a room, or wearing hearing aids.
  • Environmental modifications for speakers, like slowing down when you talk, changing up your pitch and tone, and checking in for comprehension.
  • Speech-language pathology (speech therapy). This can help with sound discrimination (differentiating between similar sounds, like “cat” and “chat”), as well as improve reading, spelling, and speaking skills impacted by APD.

 

What is the goal of treating APD in adults?

According to Audiology Online, treatment for APD in adults is not about a cure but instead about developing strategies that minimize disability and maximize communication. The emphasis is on self-management through environmental modifications, personal sound-enhancement technology, and social skills that maximize communication in both the workplace and social situations.

 

Where can I get more information about auditory processing disorder and similar conditions?

To learn more about APD, see:

To learn about similar or co-existing conditions, see:

Article Type:
Learning