Central auditory processing disorder is common and often misdiagnosed and misunderstood.
The auditory system is responsible for many important tasks, the most well-known of these is hearing. Sometimes an assumption is made that if one's hearing is normal, then the auditory system is efficient. This is not always true (many individuals with CAPD easily pass a hearing test). After the auditory system detects or hears the presence of sound, it then has to assign meaning and filter/prioritize sounds. Hearing, understanding, and filtering are three different responsibilities of the auditory system. When a person has difficulty understanding and/or filtering background noise, they may have a condition known as central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). It may also be referred to as auditory processing disorder (APD).
A traditional hearing test assesses hearing and determines the softest sound that an individual can detect. A hearing test cannot provide information about how well the auditory system understands sound. A hearing test does not rule in or rule out the presence of central auditory processing disorder. Consulting an audiologist with specialized education and training in CAPD is necessary.
Hearing and assigning meaning to auditory information are two different tasks. We cannot assume that because one heard the information, that they understood it. Similarly, someone may have dyslexia despite having excellent vision.
Individuals with CAPD cannot filter and prioritize sounds efficiently, causing even the quietest of sounds to be disruptive. This can impact listening, focus, and cause individuals to feel exhausted and/or overwhelmed. Group conversations and loud environments can also be challenging and is often described as "auditory chaos" by individuals with central auditory processing disorder.
Central auditory processing disorder often coexists with ADD/ADHD, anxiety disorder, autism, dyslexia, hearing loss, misophonia, sensory processing difficulties, speech and language delays, traumatic brain injuries, and/or visual processing challenges. CAPD can occur in gifted, twice-exceptional, and neurodivergent individuals. Whether CAPD exists as a comorbidity or an isolated condition, CAPD should be identified and properly managed.
CAPD can impact all areas of life including academic and work performance, relationships, participation in extracurricular activities, self-esteem, and overall well-being. Stress on the auditory system can affect how an individual feels, their energy levels, and quality of life. Commonly reported behaviors can help determine if CAPD may exist.
Individuals with CAPD are often misunderstood (and misdiagnosed) and told to "try harder." They may even be placed into categories that are incorrect such as lazy, unmotivated, rude, emotionally sensitive, and/or noncompliant.
Individuals with sensory challenges cannot try harder to ignore the feel of an itchy tag or wool sweater, just as an individual with CAPD cannot try harder to understand and focus.
Dad lost ear filter. Mom cried for two days. Dad felt so bad he agreed to adopt a guinea pig. Daughter checked mailbox daily for new filter. Filter arrived. Mom cried again. Thank you Able Kids Team for all you have added to our lives!
If we listen to and observe our children, they will tell us everything we need to know about how they are impacted by their auditory environment. The classic behaviors associated with CAPD are easy to identify, if one understands what to look for. CAPD should be considered and investigated when there are concerns and indicators to do so.
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