Audio Help Hearing Centers provides auditory processing disorder diagnosis and treatment in NYC. We have three audiology clinics conveniently located in Manhattan (Chelsea Village, Columbus Circle, and Park Avenue), with additional offices in Scarsdale, NY (Westchester County), and Stamford, CT.
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is when someone’s brain has trouble understanding sounds. Even though their ears can hear just fine, their brain gets mixed up when trying to figure out what the sounds mean. It’s like hearing a lot of noise all at once and not being able to pick out the important parts. This can make it hard to understand what people are saying, especially if there is a lot of background noise.
Symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder
People with APD might find it hard to follow spoken directions, especially if the directions are long or tricky. They might often ask people to repeat what they said, saying things like “What?” or “Huh?” a lot. Noisy places, like busy classrooms or crowded restaurants, can be very hard for them because the extra sounds make it even tougher to understand speech.
Another sign is trouble telling apart words that sound similar. For example, they might mix up words like “cat” and “hat” or “dog” and “fog.” They may also find reading and spelling hard because these skills need to hear sounds correctly.
Kids with APD might seem not to pay attention or have trouble focusing, which can lead to misunderstandings in school or when playing with friends.
Causes of Auditory Processing Disorder
The exact cause of APD is not fully known. However, experts believe it can result from various factors such as:
- Ear infections: Frequent ear infections during early childhood may affect how sound is processed in the brain.
- Head injuries: A strong hit to the head can damage the areas of the brain that manage sound processing.
- Genetics: If a parent has APD, their child might have it, too.
- Premature birth and low birth weight
Auditory Processing Disorder Diagnosis
Diagnosing APD involves several steps. An audiologist will conduct tests to rule out any hearing loss. They will then perform special tests to see how well the brain processes different sounds.
These tests might include listening to speech with background noise or following complex verbal instructions.
Auditory Processing Disorder Treatment
Once diagnosed, treatment for APD can begin. While there is no cure for APD, various strategies can help manage the condition.
Speech-language therapy
Speech-language therapy can help kids with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). This type of therapy works to improve how the brain understands sounds. A speech therapist, who is trained to help with speech and hearing, will work with the child.
In speech-language therapy, kids do special activities and exercises. These activities help them tell apart different sounds. For example, they might listen to words that sound almost the same and practice hearing the differences. This helps them understand speech better.
The therapist might also play games that involve following directions. This practice can make it easier for kids to listen and follow instructions in real life. Sometimes, they use pictures and drawings to make the words and sounds easier to understand.
Therapy can also include practicing in noisy places. Kids might practice listening to someone talking while there are background noises. This helps them get better at understanding speech even when it is loud around them.
Medication
While medicine doesn’t usually fix APD itself, it can help with problems like paying attention. For example, medicine for ADHD can help a person focus better, which makes it easier to deal with APD.
Lifestyle changes
Little changes in daily life can help. Making a quiet and neat place to learn, using earplugs in loud areas, and practicing good listening can make things better.
Visiting an audiologist or speech therapist regularly can make sure the person with APD gets the help they need.
Audio Help Hearing Centers: Auditory Processing Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment in NYC
Auditory processing disorder can make it hard to understand sounds. However, working with the right audiologists can really help.
There are different treatments and strategies that can make life better for people with APD. With professional and moral support, people with APD can do well in school, work, and with friends.
Audiologists at Audio Help Hearing Centers can help diagnose and manage auditory processing disorders.
We have three audiology clinics conveniently located in Manhattan (Chelsea Village, Columbus Circle, and Park Avenue), with additional offices in Scarsdale, NY (Westchester County), and Stamford, CT.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!