Symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorders
The symptoms of auditory process disorders (APDs) are very similar to the symptoms of hearing impairments, and many people confuse the two. However, the causes and treatments of those symptoms vary significantly. People with an APD usually hear very well; the problem is that their brain cannot analyze, interpret, organize, or attribute meaning to the sounds they hear.
If you are a parent or teacher of a child who seems to be having communication issues, the pediatric audiology specialists at Hearing Smile Professionals in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, can perform an in-depth APD evaluation to determine the cause. Because an APD can delay speech and language development, an early and accurate diagnosis is essential. With appropriate treatment, a child with an APD can learn to communicate better and perform well academically.
Signs to Watch For
Common APD symptoms in children include:
- Delayed speech and language abilities
- Confusion of similar-sounding words, such as “cat” and “cap”
- Poor spelling and reading comprehension
- Difficulty following multistep directions
- Easy distraction and frequent daydreaming
- Disinterest in learning new things
- Preference for learning through hands-on activities rather than spoken instructions
- Overreliance on nonverbal cues when listening to speech
- Frequent need to have spoken information repeated
- Misinterpretation of sarcasm and jokes
- Difficulty understanding stories read aloud and announcements over loudspeakers
- Poor memory for names, words, and numbers
- Oversensitivity to noise
- A monotone speaking voice
- An off-key singing voice
It is important to keep in mind that a child’s communication difficulties can easily go unnoticed. For instance, they may quickly learn to compensate by paying close attention to visual cues and body language, watching other children, and anticipating what will be said.
You Can Help
Contact Hearing Smile Professionals today to request an appointment for your child in Lancaster, PA. We offer comprehensive APD testing for both children and adults. An early and accurate APD diagnosis can help ensure that your child receives appropriate management strategies to be as successful as possible in school and life.
