In Audiology we occasionally see adults or children who appear to have normal hearing on our standard hearing test but who continue to report difficulties hearing and making sense of sounds. This has sometimes been called Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). Adults and children with suspected APD often say that they struggle to understand what is being said especially when in noisy places like classrooms, cafés, and group situations. Despite seeing these cases in our clinics, it is still not fully clear what APD actually is, how it is diagnosed, and how we can help those who have it.
We conducted a research project asking Audiologists across the UK what they think APD is and their understanding of APD. The answers showed a wide mix of opinions. Many Audiologists agreed that APD affects the brain's ability to understand and make sense of sound, and many pointed out that it often overlaps with other conditions like ADHD or dyslexia. When asked about the symptoms of APD, Audiologists mentioned the day-to-day impact this condition has on the people it affects. This research project showed lots of differences in the opinions of Audiologists on APD, which shows the need for clearer definitions (what it is?), consistent tests, and a multi-professional approach to give people with APD the support they need.