Speech Pathology Associates

Auditory Processing Improvement

Twenty year old Kelly seems to pay attention when the professor works with her one-on-one. But when there are group discussions, she can't understand what's being talked about. It's has if she can't 'hear fast enough'. The professor is complaining she doesn't participate in class, Kelly's assignments are incomplete or late and Kelly is getting lower grades as a result. Now she probably won't graduate on time.

Daniel who is 36, was supposed to be home in time for his son's school conference at 3:30 PM. But when he finally walked in the house at 7:00 PM, he was surprised to hear about the appointment and that his wife had reminded him about it just that morning.

Normal people? Or is something else going on?

Our lives are complicated these days. There's a lot to remember and a lot to do. But sometimes we may seem to be more than simply distracted by a complex life. Although our hearing may be normal, if we have an auditory processing disorder (APD) we can't process the information we hear in the same way as others because our ears and brain don't fully coordinate.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of APD?

Symptoms of APD can range from mild to severe and can take many different forms. If you think there may be a problem with how you (or a loved one) processes what you hear, ask yourself these questions:

  • Am I easily distracted or unusually bothered by loud or sudden noises?
  • Are noisy environments upsetting to me?
  • Does my behavior and performance improve in quieter settings?
  • Do I have difficulty following directions, whether simple or complicated?
  • Do I have reading, spelling, writing, or other speech-language difficulties?
  • Is abstract information difficult for me to comprehend?
  • Are verbal (word) math problems difficult for me?
  • Am I disorganized or forgetful?
  • Are conversations hard for me to follow?

These, as well as other behaviors, may be signs of an auditory processing disorder (APD). It's an often-misunderstood problem because many of the behaviors noted above may also appear in other conditions such as learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder (ADD) and even depression. But adults with APD can have a coexisting disorder - the most commonly seen is ADD. Although APD is often confused with ADD, it is possible to have both.

What Causes APD?

The possible causes of APD are varied and can include head trauma, chronic ear infections and unknown reasons. Because there are many different possibilities - even combinations of causes - each of us has to be assessed on an individual basis.

How Is APD Diagnosed?

Audiologists (specialists in hearing) and speech language pathologists can determine if you have APD. Auditory processing testing can determine if there really is a problem. Once diagnosed, folks with APD usually work with a speech therapist.

What Are the Problem Areas For People With APD?

Here are the five main problem areas that can affect both home and work activities in folks with APD.

  1. Auditory Figure-Ground Problems: This is when the we can't pay attention when there's noise in the background. Noisy, low-structured work environments could be very frustrating.
  2. Auditory Memory Problems: This is when we have difficulty remembering information such as directions, lists, or work orders. It can be immediate (i.e., "I can't remember it now") and/or delayed (i.e., "I can't remember it when I need it for later").
  3. Auditory Discrimination Problems: This is when we have difficulty hearing the difference between sounds or words that are similar (COAT/BOAT or CH/SH). This problem can affect following directions, reading, spelling, and writing skills and understanding a non native English speaker.
  4. Auditory Attention Problems: This is when we can't maintain focus for listening long enough to complete a task or requirement (such as listening to a lecture). Although health, motivation, and attitude may also affect attention, among other factors, someone with APD cannot (not will not) maintain attention.
  5. Auditory Cohesion Problems: This is when higher-level listening or language tasks are difficult. Auditory cohesion skills - drawing inferences from conversations, understanding riddles, or comprehending verbal math problems - require heightened auditory processing and language levels. They develop best when all the other skills (levels one through four above) are intact.

If you have APD, there are strategies that can be used at home and work to alleviate some of the problem behaviors associated with APD.

What Can I Do To Help?

Difficulty with following directions is possibly the single most common complaint for someone with APD. Some of things you can do that may help:

  • Reduce background noise.
  • Remind them to look at you when you're speaking.
  • Use simple, expressive sentences.
  • Speak at a slightly slower rate and at a mildly increased volume.
  • Ask them to repeat the directions back to you aloud and to keep repeating them aloud (or to himself or herself) until the directions are completed. Make certain they understand the directions and aren't just copying your words. You can be more certain of this if they are able to rephrase the directions. For example, "Take this progress report to Annie Oakley in Personnel Room 12," may be restated as, "You want me to take this to Ms. Oakley in Room 12."

For directions that are to be completed at a later time, writing notes, wearing a watch, and maintaining a household routine also help. General organization and scheduling also seem to be beneficial for anyone with APD.

It's especially important to be responsible and actively involved in your own success. You should be aware of noisy environments, for example, and move to quieter places when listening is necessary.

These other work place strategies may also be helpful:

  • Provide yourself with a quiet work place (not the kitchen table).
  • Maintain a peaceful, organized lifestyle.
  • Practice good eating and sleeping habits.
  • Assign yourself regular and realistic tasks, including keeping a neat office and desk.
  • Begin an auditory processing improvement program.

What treatments are available for APD?

Much research is still needed to understand Auditory Processing Disorder problems, related disorders, and the best intervention for each person.

The Listening Program

The Listening Program is an auditory therapy program that is easy to do at home or work, is enjoyable, and also very successful in strengthening auditory and related abilities. The Listening Program is a program that can benefit anyone, but specifically individuals who have difficulties in the areas of auditory perception, processing, and memory.

The Listening Program was designed to help balance, strengthen, and/or restore our ability to listen to and process sounds across the full auditory spectrum, from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. This can result in marked improvements across the human continuum, from academic and work performance to emotional balance. Using The Listening Program actually exercises and tones the tiny muscles in the ear and helps build stronger multi-sensory pathways in the brain. The brain receives especially rich auditory stimulation, and its ability to process sound improves.

One of the most important things that you can do is to realize that APD is real. Symptoms and behaviors are not always within the your control. What is within your control is recognizing the problems associated with APD and applying the strategies recommended both at home and work.

A positive, realistic attitude and healthy self-esteem in a person with APD can work wonders. Folks with APD can go on to be just as successful as other people. However, adults with APD, need to develop coping strategies and by using techniques taught to them in speech therapy or an auditory stimulation program like The Listening Program, they can be very successful.

TLP Classic Kit

The Listening Program Classic Kit

The Listening Program Classic Kit iPod is a comprehensive sound stimulation and auditory therapy program perfect for the busy adult or older adolescent.

Each hour contains four progressive 15 minute segments of re-arranged, specially engineered classical music and nature sounds. The arrangements are treated with filtration and audio bursting at gradually increasing levels through each set.

These techniques are the basis for the retraining process. For adults and older children, the listening schedule is 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week, for a period of 8 weeks. Complete this powerful 8-week program in the comfort of your home, school or office.

Your iListen program will include:

  • The 11 hour TLP Classic Library including SI Classic, SL Classic and HS Classic
  • An additional 4 hour Sound Health Library
  • An 8GB iPod nano
  • Listener Resource CD-ROM
  • A Quick Start Guide
  • An AC Charger
  • An iPod nano Carry Case

Headphones not included.

"I tried the TLP Classic to help me cope with my extreme sound sensitivity, and now, noise doesn't bother me as much. I feel calmer and my moods have dramatically improved!"

Don Harris is a Certified TLP Provider and Licensed Speech Language Pathologist. Contact Don Online to further discuss the many ways The Listening Programs and the TLP Specialized CDs will benefit you and your family.