We Perform Audiology Testing in Lancaster, PA
At Hearing Smile Professionals, we know that an auditory issue can have a life-altering impact at every stage of life. As a parent or teacher, you may notice that a child is having trouble hearing, understanding, and communicating. Or perhaps you are experiencing these issues yourself. Either way, audiology testing is the first major step toward a better quality of life. The team at Hearing Smile Professionals is pleased to offer diagnostic audiology services, including hearing tests and auditory processing evaluations, for children and adults in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
What is ADP?
Listening is a complex process that involves both the ears and the brain. The ears send sounds to the brain via the auditory nerve. The brain then interprets the sounds; for instance, it may determine that the sound is a teakettle whistling or a dog barking. An auditory processing disorder (APD) occurs when sounds are clearly heard but not fully understood.
Neurological Basis of APDs
The neurological mechanisms underlying APDs involve disruptions in the auditory processing pathways within the brain. These pathways are responsible for interpreting and making sense of sounds received by the ears. When there is a dysfunction in these pathways, it can lead to difficulties in speech perception and comprehension. Specifically, the brain’s inability to effectively process rapid sequences of sounds can result in poor auditory discrimination, impacting an individual’s capacity to understand speech, especially in noisy environments. This neurological disruption underscores the complexity of APDs and the challenges faced by those affected.
Diagnostic Challenges
Diagnosing APDs presents several challenges due to the overlap of symptoms with other disorders and the need for specialized assessments. Symptoms of APDs, such as difficulty understanding speech and following directions, can mimic those of ADHD, ASD, and other learning disabilities. Accurate diagnosis requires multidisciplinary evaluations involving audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and psychologists. These professionals use a range of tests to assess auditory processing abilities, ruling out other potential causes of the symptoms. The complexity of these evaluations underscores the importance of a thorough and collaborative diagnostic approach to identify and address APDs effectively.
We Specialize in Auditory Processing Disorder Evaluations
Because APDs often masquerade as hearing loss, an accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure appropriate treatment. At Hearing Smile Professionals, we perform various types of audiology testing to diagnose APDs, including:
- Speech-in-noise testing – Using single-syllable recorded word recognition lists, we evaluate the patient’s understanding of sounds amid different levels of background noise.
- Staggered spondaic word testing – We ask the patient to repeat various words sent to each ear. In some instances, the words are sent at different times (non-competing words); in others, they are sent simultaneously (competing words).
- Phonemic synthesis testing – We ask the patient to identify complete words sent sound-by-sound to both ears (a sound-blending test).
To ensure highly accurate results, we perform audiology testing in a soundproof room using state-of-the-art techniques and technologies, including precisely tuned and calibrated hearing instruments.
We Create Hearing Smiles
Contact Hearing Smile Professionals today to schedule a hearing evaluation in Lancaster, PA. As our patient, you will benefit not only from our extensive experience and advanced treatment technology but also from our compassionate approach to providing top-notch audiology testing.
