A Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) is a condition in which the ears and the brain do not work well together. People with CAPD can hear, but the brain has trouble processing the sounds. They have trouble: Telling the difference among similar sounds in words. It is a deficiency in the way the brain processes information verbally/auditorily. Those with CAPD have difficulty understanding the meaning verbal communication. Some born with CAPD, and others acquire it later in life.

Defining CAPD

• Deficiency in how the brain processes and differentiates sounds
• Occurs in 5% of children
• Normal hearing acuity in children
• Generally, it is related to developmental delays in the auditory centers of the brain
• Causes: premature birth, trauma, degenerative disorders, viral infections, lead poisoning, severe ear infections early in childhood, head trauma, and stroke

CAPD often seen with other diagnosis

• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Learning disabilities
• Speech / Language disorders
• Dyslexia
• Emotional and/or Social issues
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Signs/symptoms of CAPD

• Trouble understanding discussions in a noisy classroom
• Struggling with spelling and reading aloud
• Asking often for parents/teachers to repeat verbal information

• Difficulty following verbal instruction
• Frustration when trying to follow long conversations
• Difficulty following multi-step directions

Evaluating and Diagnosing CAPD

• Needs to be evaluated and diagnosed by an Audiologist
• Diagnosed through specialized tests designed to assess the auditory centers of the central nervous system
  • Two major categories of testing
    • Hearing acuity tests
    • Auditory processing tests