Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

We can only provide support and services to families and carers of children and young people with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) if your child is deaf or has hearing loss. This is known as secondary APD (APD which occurs together with, or because of, deafness). 

If you suspect your child might have APD, the first step is to have their hearing assessed. Many symptoms of APD are similar to signs of deafness.

Understanding APD

Hearing and listening are two different processes. 

• Hearing is a passive, physiological process. We carry on hearing even while we sleep.
• Listening is an active, cognitive process which is impacted by things like attention. 

Deafness happens when one or more parts of the ear or auditory (hearing) nerve doesn't function as it should. However, the ability to listen to sounds also involves memory, learning, vision and attention, as well as hearing. If a child has difficulties with any of these functions, then listening may be affected.

Children with APD usually have typical levels of hearing but find it difficult to listen or make sense of sounds, particularly in environments with lots of background noise. 

Children are not usually diagnosed with APD until they’re at least 7 years old. The auditory system is still developing until that age.

The cause of APD is often unknown. In children, APD may be linked to neurodivergent conditions such as:

• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• autism
• developmental delay
• developmental language disorder
• dyslexia