Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) Service

We are not accepting referrals for this service. 

Please find information below which may be helpful to you.

An Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) refers to difficulty processing what is heard. APD is characterised by poor perception of speech and non-speech sounds. APD has its origin in impaired neural function and impacts on life through a reduced ability to listen [British Society of Audiology 2018].

There are three types of APD:

 âˆ’ Developmental APD: Cases presenting in childhood with normal hearing and no other known aetiology or potential risk factors. Some cases may retain their APD into adulthood

− Acquired APD: Cases associated with a known postnatal event (e.g. neurological trauma or infection)

− Secondary APD: Cases where APD occurs in the presence, or as a result, of peripheral hearing impairment. This includes transient hearing impairment after its resolution (e.g. glue ear) or increased difficulty processing sound due to ageing

In most cases hearing is normal but sometimes APD can occur in the presence of a hearing impairment. It is more challenging to assess APD in the presence of a hearing impairment. Your audiologist will be able to provide more information about this.

A person with APD may have difficulty in one or more of the following areas:

  • Difficulty localising and ‘tracking’ sounds
  • Hearing when the signal is not clear or ‘degraded’ (e.g. accents, telephone)
  • Hearing in noisy and reverberant environments
  • ‘Mishears’ auditory information (e.g. lethal/legal)
  • Takes longer to respond to and process auditory information
  • Poor listening skills and auditory attention
  • Poor auditory memory
  • Music perception difficulties

Additionally, in children there may also be reports of:

  • Delayed auditory milestones
  • Difficulty with learning songs and nursery rhymes
  • Difficulty with multiple auditory commands
  • Possible speech and language delay/disorder
  • Difficulties with phonological and phonemic awareness, reading, spelling, and/or academic progress

For more information about APD click on the following links:

  • APD Quick Guide – covers what APD is, assessment and intervention. Click here.
  • APD MESHGuide, an online evidence-based resource. Click here.
  • British Society of Audiology guidance. Click here