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A thorough understanding of the function of the central auditory nervous system (CANS) is critical so that proper diagnosis and management can be implemented. Each of the human senses has special areas of representation in the brainstem and cerebral cortex. The auditory system provides perhaps the most important of those sensory systems since it affords us with a means of verbal communication.
The mature, efficient CANS allows us to assign priority to certain sounds, words, and sound/word combinations that are useful to us. It is the brain’s function to assign meaning to auditory stimuli which the ears receive. This occurs while the system also suppresses and/or blocks undesirable or unwanted auditory stimuli. This process prevents all sounds from running-together which results in a “listening chaos.” Think how confusing it would be if one minute you can understand auditory messages and the next moment words and sentences are totally incomprehensible!
The inability to communicate effectively hinders our academic function, our work efficiency and accuracy, social and emotional status, and overall well-being. Throughout our studies, we are continually made aware of life disruptions that occur in individuals with CAPD. School failure, emotional upheavals, work difficulties, unemployment, and school drop-out situations are just a few of the disruptions we observe as being conditions associated with CAPD.
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