AUCKLAND HEARING & EAR HEALTH BLOG 

Hearing loss due to abnormality of neural connections between the inner ear (cochlea) and, or in, the auditory nerve has been dubbed “hidden hearing loss” and is the subject of considerable recent research. Like APD, it is not detected by basic hearing tests. However APD is a far more prevalent condition than cochlear synaptopathy.

Disability terminology: Are we listening?

This study identifies a new type of temporal perception deficit in children with dyslexia; speaking rate perception.

Broad speech-based auditory training leads to improvement in functional hearing in children with APD.

Specific language impairment (SLI) and APD appear intertwined, with the suggestion that differential diagnosis may be influenced by whether a child is assessed by an audiologist or speech-language therapist. Multi-disciplinary assessment (as occurs at SoundSkills) is advisable.

Electrophysiological recordings of responses to sound in children with APD show differences at brainstem and cortical levels of the brain.

The use of remote microphone hearing aid systems reduced listening stress as measured by salivary cortisol and provided a range of benefits for children with ASD.

10-week use of remote microphone hearing aid systems by adult patients with stroke may lead to benefits in unaided speech in noise perception. The findings may indicate auditory plasticity type changes and require further investigation.

Studies of the effects of amplification with remote microphone hearing aid systems for children with auditory processing disorder or dyslexia consistently show therapeutic as well as assistive benefits from the amplification.

Measurement of acoustic reflexes is an objective (physiological) test as distinct from behavioural tests used for diagnosing APD. Reduced amplitude acoustic reflex functions in children suspected of having APD provide objective evidence of atypical function in the central auditory nervous system in these children.

Colleagues at the National Acoustic Laboratories in Australia developed this evidence-based training game to improve ability to hear in noise. The game aspect of the software has since been revised to make it more appealing and it is now marketed as ‘Sound Storm’.

Principles of auditory training for APD.

2020 was a promising year for participation at conferences with sessions on auditory processing disorder (APD), until a world pandemic...

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently also have auditory processing difficulties which affect their ability to hear and...

Data analysis for five research projects funded by the William Demant (previously Oticon) Foundation and carried out by SoundSkills and...

Auditory processing disorder may be a specialised area of communication disorders but more than 80 people turned out for the official...

Early intervention is a key tenet in audiology, except when it comes to Auditory Processing Disorder. This case study report argues that...

It is well established that early intervention for hearing and learning disorders is critical if the effectiveness of treatment is to be...

This is a helpful checklist if you're a teacher working with APD in the classroom. Classroom Environment: Preferential seating Within 2m...

The Ministry of Education was criticised for its discrimination against children with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) by the CEO of...