Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)

CAPD is a condition in which the ears and the brain do no​t 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.
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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 is often seen with other diagnosis 

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

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