Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder – FAQs for Parents & Patients

If you or someone you care about is struggling to process sounds clearly—it could be a sign of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD).

Auditory Processing Disorder in NZ can affect both children and adults, with symptoms sometimes presenting differently across age groups. In this blog, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about APD to help you better understand the signs, the diagnosis process, and the support available.

Does APD need to be diagnosed by an Audiologist?  

Yes, APD can only be diagnosed by an audiologist who specialises in the treatment and management of APD. The diagnosis cannot be made by other medical/health specialists or learning professionals, even if they perform some auditory processing tests. The diagnosis of APD can be complex and the audiologists at SoundSkills, Family Hearing Centre have a lot of experience working with children and adults with APD.

Can APD be tested for through the public system in New Zealand? What is the waiting time? 

Te Whatu Ora offers APD testing for children who fall within the inclusion criteria below:

• aged 7 years and over (please note: APD assessments are not performed on adults in the public system)

• normal peripheral hearing

• significant concerns regarding listening skills

• performing below curriculum standards at school

• fluent in English with intelligible speech

• able to follow directions and have sufficient attention or co-operation to complete APD testing

• normal IQ

They also note that it is also preferable if the child has:

• had a recent educational psychologist assessment or similar to determine if learning disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), emotional problems, or other cognitive difficulties are present

• had a recent speech and language assessment that specifically looked at listening skills.

Should your child not meet the above inclusion criteria, we are happy to see them at SoundSkills, Family Hearing Centre.

What is the criteria for MOE funding in New Zealand?

If your child has been formally diagnosed with APD by an audiologist specialised in the treatment and management of APD, they may be eligible for funding from the Ministry of Education (MOE) if they fulfil the criteria below in NZ:

To be eligible, students must have additional learning needs where everyday classroom equipment/technology is not enough. Assistive technology is considered for students who are: supported by one of our learning support services such as an Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) or receiving additional learning support at school which include:

• has a current individual learning support plan that has been in place for at least 3 months

• be at least 1 level below expected NZ curriculum level

• be receiving ongoing learning support from a school leader such as a SENCO or Learning Support Coordinator

• be receiving additional adult support in class for a minimum of 2 hours 1:1 (individual) or 4 hours (small group) per week. This could be from a teacher, a resource teacher, a teacher aide or a combination of all.

At SoundSkills, Family Hearing Centre, our APD assessment involves a phone call with our Education Adviser to discuss whether your child may be eligible for MOE funding. You will be guided through the process if your child is eligible to apply for MOE funding. If your child is not eligible for MOE funding, our Education Adviser will talk through alternative options including a private trial of a Remote Microphone Hearing Aid (RMHA) systems and what the next steps are for you.

In New Zealand, what is the process for MOE funded devices and what is the success rate?

Following the APD assessment at SoundSkills, Family Hearing Centre, we will arrange a phone call with our Education Adviser who will talk you through the eligibility criteria for MOE funding and whether your child will qualify for this. She will then guide you to the next steps including arranging a time to meet with the SENCO or Learning Support Co-ordinator (LSC). The SENCO or LSC will then submit the application for a RMHA trial. The MOE Assistive Technology (AT) will review your child’s eligibility criteria and approve a trial of a RMHA system. When this is approved, they will order the RMHA system and arrange the delivery of the devices to the clinic. We will then contact you to arrange a fitting appointment to ensure they are well-fitted for your child. These fitting appointments at SoundSkills, Family Hearing Centre lasts 60 minutes and costs $350.

The success rate varies depending on the individual child (i.e. whether there are any co-occurring conditions), the school they attend and support provided, and many other factors. We try our very best to work with the individual child and family to ensure that your child can thrive with their listening and learning.

What are the options if MOE does not provide funding for my child in NZ?  

Our Education Adviser will talk you through the private trial options if your child does not meet the eligibility criteria for public funding from the MOE. We can guide you to approach other organisations and charitable trusts who may help towards the cost of listening devices.

What is the difference between low gain hearing aids and a remote microphone hearing aid system?  How successful are low gain hearing aids compared to a remote microphone hearing aid system?

A remote microphone hearing aid (RMHA) system consists of a microphone worn by the speaker (in the classroom, this is the teacher) and a pair of receivers worn in the ears of the listener (child/student). The term ‘remote’ refers to the fact that the microphone picking up the teacher’s voice is far away from the actual ear-worn receivers. The receivers in a RMHA system look just like small hearing aids that hook over the back of the ears with a thin tube sending the sound into the child’s ears. The receivers do not provide any additional amplification or sound processing and the technology relies on the coupling of the receivers to the remote microphone. This is a highly effective system for children in primary school and young people.

Low gain hearing aids on the other hand can be used in the absence of a remote microphone. They have in-built technology that can help to provide a low level of amplification (this is where the term ‘low-gain’ comes from) and depending on the level of technology inside the hearing aids, they will process sounds and reduce the noise around the listener to various extents. They can often be paired with an app on the user’s mobile phone through which the listener can temporarily adjust settings such as volume changes to suit their specific listening environment. We often recommend this option for older students or adults where it may not always be favourable or feasible to use a remote microphone, so that they are still receiving some amplification when the microphone is not in use. Low gain hearing aids can be used with ease across different listening environments as the students move from class to class (such is the case for high school) and in other situations such as social settings. When low gain hearing aids are recommended for people with APD, the evidence suggests that optimal benefit is provided by the use of a remote microphone coupled with the low gain hearing aids. This is especially important if your child has co-occurring conditions or have difficulties with sound sensitivity. Low gain hearing aids coupled with a remote microphone tend to come at a higher price point compared to a RMHA system.

How successful or effective these systems are dependent on many factors including the age and motivation of the child, how supportive your child’s listening/school environment is, whether there are other co-occurring conditions and many others. At SoundSkills, Family Hearing Centre, we work with each individual and their families to determine the best recommendation which can be different for each person depending on their specific needs.

How often should a remote mic system be checked/refitted? Who can do this?

Remote microphone systems are robust, and the settings do not change over time. Once fitted by an audiologist specialised in the treatment and management of APD, they typically do not need to be refitted or checked standardly unless there are concerns with their functioning. The common reasons for families to get in touch with us are:

• Your child cannot hear through one or both of their hearing aids/receivers (ear-worn devices)

• Teacher questions whether the microphone is paired or working

• Concerns around the fit of the devices in the ears such as discomfort

reported by your child. As your child’s ears grow (typically over years), a longer tube or different sized dome (earbud) may be more suitable

At SoundSkills, Family Hearing Centre, we recommend annual reviews to assess your child’s progress. The audiologist will review their auditory processing abilities and the management plan to ensure that your child is well-supported in their listening and learning journey as they progress through their education. Our Education Adviser may also be involved if further support at school is required. As a part of the review, we standardly perform a check on the functioning and suitability of your child’s devices and give advice on further actions or recommendations.

How much does a second-hand system sell for? I want to buy a second-hand system or I want to sell a second-hand system. Who can fit them?

Not all providers will work with second hand systems due to concerns around warranty, repairs and suitability. Some devices may be obsolete and manufacturers may not be able to refurbish them for a second-hand fitting or guarantee that they may be repaired should they break down. Therefore the cost of a second-hand system can vary depending on factors such as the age, model and state of the devices. SoundSkills offers this service for our families as we believe that no child should go without when cost is a concern. However this offer is conditional on equipment being current, in good working order, and working with other SoundSkills families who are able to benefit from this service. The devices need to be properly treated in order for them to be suitable for a second-hand fitting and will need to be fitted by an audiologist.

If you have worked with SoundSkills before and wish to enquire about second hand systems, please contact us on (09) 217-6944 for more information.

How do I get batteries for MOE funded devices? Who checks and cleans the HAs?

MoE mostly provide rechargeable hearing aids so no batteries are needed. If a student has a battery system the school can apply for batteries. The MoE funded RMHA system stays at school, parents are welcome to check and clean the HA. If this is not possible someone in the school may be able to assist. If there is a fault with the system, the school can send the system to Phonak or go back through the Assistive Technology Coordinator.

Can you use more than one microphone (e.g. if more than one teacher) in modern learning environment? 

The recommendation is that each student has their own microphone as no two students are taught at the same time all day. If a student is in a different learning group and another student is on an independent learning task, their do not need to hear what is being said in the learning group.

How do I encourage my child to wear the devices? I am worried about other children teasing them.

If the RMHA system is introduced to the class by the teacher and student at the start of the trial, then all queries can be discussed. The RMHA system is like wearing glasses as it helps a student's learning. Very quickly this is normalised and becomes ‘business as usual’.

How do I access audiobooks for free?

Through Libby, the library app. If the school has the Epic reading programme, then parents can access Epic audiobooks at home (there may be a cost). 

What note taking services/apps/software are available?

NALscribe is a free live speech captioning tool. You can contact your local Assistive Technology Coordinator for advice on this. Assistive Technology is a sector of the Ministry of Education.

We hope this guide has helped deepen your understanding of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) in New Zealand, including the available funding options and treatment pathways. At Soundskills Family Hearing Centre,  we offer comprehensive APD testing at our Auckland clinic—supporting both children and adults with expert diagnosis and personalised care.

To book an APD test, contact our clinic on 09 217 6944 or email us at admin@familyhearing.co.nz.