Auditory Processing Disorders: Earlier Diagnosis Possible?

Abstract

Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) has been defined as the inability of the central nervous system to process incoming auditory information from the peripheral auditory system. It has been said that accurate representation of stimulus timing (latency) in the auditory brainstem is a hallmark of normal perception. Therefore, the diagnosis of APD is confirmed when functional listening difficulties are observed in the presence of both normal peripheral hearing and well-established deficits in one or several different auditory skill areas. In recent years, there has been an increased popular interest in these disorders; unfortunately, this interest has led to misconceptions and misinformation. There is now considerable confusion regarding what is and what are not an APD, how APD is diagnosed, and the methods for managing and treating the disorder.