![]() ![]() The terms visual dyslexia and auditory dyslexia are often used by scholars to describe two main types of dyslexia. Spelling and writing are usually included due to their close relationship with reading.ĭyslexia is considered to be a neurological disorder in the brain that causes information to be processed and interpreted differently, resulting in reading difficulties. It is used to refer to persons for whom reading is simply beyond their reach. This situation may be improved by training the child to develop stronger auditory processing skills or by modifying the environment, for example by changing to another school with a different teaching method.Ī referral to an integrative doctor to address biochemical balances through appropriate diet and supplements may also help these children.Īudiological intervention aims to assess auditory processing to identify the individual’s auditory function, develop and strengthen the weaker skills by means of auditory training, and/or environmental modifications.The term dyslexia was coined from the Greek words dys, meaning ill or difficult, and lexis, meaning word. ![]() Some situations may not provide an adequate environment for an individual’s “preferential” processing skills.įor example, a child with weak auditory processing skills who relies more on visual processing may not perform well in a school using phonics. Different individuals process information using different strategies and this may not necessarily be due to a “processing disorder”. This universal rule also applies to sensory processing skills. Why is it important to test for APD?Įverybody is different. Different sounds are presented via headphones while the child sits quietly watching a movie.īoth subjective and objective test procedures are not invasive and do not cause any physical discomfort. These are measurements of the brain responses to sound performed by placing electrodes on the earlobes and on the scalp. ![]() Younger children may be objectively assessed using electrophysiological tests provided there is some degree of cooperation. Subjective assessment for auditory processing is performed using behavioural tests where the individual is required to listen and respond to a series of sounds, words and sentences presented through headphones at different levels of difficulties, such as with competing noises in the opposite ear and/or in the same ear, with distorted and filtered speech etc.īehavioural tests can be reliably performed on children from 7 years of age.Īuditory Processing Disorder tests can be reliably performed on children from 7 years of age. This assessment involves a pure tone and speech audiogram, tympanometry, acoustic reflexes, otoacoustic emissions and auditory evoked responses. The first step is a comprehensive hearing test to exclude the possibility of a peripheral hearing loss. How do we test and who can be tested for APD?Īuditory processing skills can be clinically tested by a qualified audiologist. Sound deprivation due to untreated hearing lossĬraniofacial or external ear abnormalities In many cases chronic ear infections are caused by biochemical disorders associated with allergies. Prolonged episodes of ear infection (glue ear, otitis media) are known to cause auditory processing disorders in children due to auditory deprivation (lack of sound stimulation to the brain) caused by transient loss of hearing. The risk factors may be genetic as well as environmental such as exposure to toxins in the air, food and water. Recent research points to biochemical disorders leading to an imbalance of neurotransmitters. Risk factors for auditory processing disorders The incidence tends to increase in the elderly mostly due to auditory deprivation caused by an age-related hearing loss. Hyperactivity and behavioural problems in children.Ĭhildren may present an auditory processing disorder while the cause may remain unknown.Īdults can also be affected by APD. Learning difficulties such as spelling, writing and reading problems (dyslexia). Auditory processing disorders may involve a variety of symptoms such as:ĭifficulties in understanding speech in adverse conditions such as in noisy environments.ĭifficulties in following verbal instructions. On the other hand, sound deprivation caused by a non-treated hearing loss may lead to an auditory processing disorder. Individuals with a hearing loss may have good auditory processing skills provided the sounds are amplified to compensate for the loss by means of properly fitted hearing aids. The brain selects relevant sounds, processes and makes sense of the received information.Īuditory processing is not dependent on normal hearing. Most sound coming from the right ear go to the left side of the brain and vice-versa. The sound collected from the environment are transmitted from both ears to the brain. Our ears are exposed to sound 24 hours a day. Auditory processing is defined as “what we do with what we hear” ![]()
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