(APD) Auditory Processing Disorder Services | Sonant Hearing Clinic, Kent

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is the difficulty one has processing and understanding auditory information in the brain despite having normal hearing sensitivity. (Normal hearing thresholds).

The ear transmits sound to the brain normally, but when voiced information is presented to the brain, the child or adult has problems understanding or interpreting the information. Up to 20% of the school age population is estimated to have APD.

SIGNS OF AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDER

⦿ Difficulty understanding speech in the middle of background noise.

⦿ Difficulty with reading, spelling and comprehension of read material.

⦿ Difficulty remembering auditory information e.g remembering directions.

⦿ Difficulty organising sounds in the correct order or sequence.

⦿ Problems successfully combining auditory and visual information.

⦿ Difficulty with interpreting where sound is coming from.

⦿ Problems attending to different information presented to opposite ears.

⦿ A consistent delay in response to a question or instructions. i.e. slow to respond.

HOW IS AN AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDER DIAGNOSED?

There are generally 3 models in relation to Auditory Processing Disorder diagnosis. The 3 schools of thought are the Buffalo Model, the Neurophysiological model and the Bellis-Ferre model. (Katz,et al, 2014 )

There is currently research being undertaken (2026) involving all 3 APD models on the same patient, and the current conclusion is that they were all able to diagnose the same client with APD.

At Sonant Hearing Clinic, Kent we use the Buffalo Model and Acoustic Pioneer array of tests for diagnosing and treating auditory processing issues.

The Buffalo model of testing and treatment was developed by Jack Katz, Ph.D. at the University of Buffalo.

The Acoustic Pioneer Test was developed by Matthew Barker, AUD. as a means of making Auditory Processing Disorder Testing more accessible, FUN and easier to deliver and perform.

We assess patients (ages 5 years and older) on the degree to which they deviate from the norms on several listening tests. The tests measure a person’s performance in four categories:

Decoding: The ability to process phonemes quickly and accurately, or the building sounds of speech.

Tolerance-Fading Memory: The ability to understand speech while in competing noise and the necessary short-term memory capacity to do so.

Organization: The ability to organize and store orally presented information in the brain.

Integration: The ability for the left and right hemispheres of the brain to communicate.

Acoustic Pioneer Testing. Gamified APD Testing at Sonant Hearing Clinic

HOW IS AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDER MANAGED?

Auditory Training

This maximises the brain's own ability to change, grow or reorganise itself. When we practice something repeatedly, the brain learns that new skill with new connections created in the brain. This can help change how the brain processes the information.

We identify the individual’s specific auditory processing deficits from the comprehensive auditory processing disorder assessment (APD) and train the auditory system to process speech and other sounds more accurately and efficiently, focusing on the areas of deficit. One example within the BMAT treatment tools is Words in Noise Training (WINT). This is a means of training the brain to focus better on speech using calibrated, progressively increasing noise. BMAT lasts for 10-12 weeks. There is also a retest at the end of the auditory training block, to review changes that have occurred within the tested individual's auditory processing.

Audiologist Delivered App-Based Solutions

We use Acoustic Pioneer as our audiologist-delivered app-based solution depending on the outcome of results from assessment. App-delivered exercises are to be completed between 2-4 times a week; we monitor progress and follow up with a re-test at the end of the therapy block.

Remote Microphones and Receivers.

We can program and set up remote microphones to help one distinguish and discriminate speech in background noise, if the results from their outcomes indicate that one would benefit from this. We can program up Roger remote microphones, Starkey, table microphones, Resound Multi-microphones in line with the client' needs.

Working one-to-one with an experienced trained audiologist at Sonant Hearing Clinic on auditory training can develop the skills and strategies specific to the individual’s deficit and in turn help one learn to hear and process speech in noise again.

Low Gain Hearing Aids (LGHA).

We could also program hearing aids to provide specific amplification for soft/moderate speech sounds only. If results from an APD assesssment indicates that amplification would be beneficial for the client.

Environmental Modifications

Methods used to improve access to auditory information can be fine-tuned. For example sitting in front of the class, lecture room or next to the primary speaker at meetings could help improve access to auditory information. Taking breaks as needed and employing similar techniques as one would employ for listening fatigue.

Acoustic Pioneer improved reading skills post therapy. Sonant Hearing Clinic

Image above shows how the Acoustic Pioneer means of therapy has undergone significant research and shown significant improvements in children's reading skills post-therapy.(Barker, 2024)

APD SCREENING SERVICES ALSO AVAILABLE, READ HERE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO BOOK AN APD SCREEN OR A COMPREHENSIVE APD ASSESSMENT

References

1.) Barker, M., 2024. Acoustic Pioneer and Auditory Processing. Auditory Processing Disorders: Assessment, Management, and Treatment, 1, p.443.

2.) British Society of Audiology. (2018). Position Statement and Practice Guidance: Auditory Processing Disorders (APD). Retrieved from https://www.thebsa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Position-Statement-and-Practice-Guidance-APD-2018.pdf (Accessed April 2026 - not yet updated by BSA)

3.) Crum R, Chowsilpa S, Kaski D, Giunti P, Bamiou D-E and Koohi N (2024) Hearing rehabilitation of adults with auditory processing disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of current evidence-based interventions. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 18:1406916. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1406916

4.) Katz, J. (2014) Chapter 29 Central Auditory Processing, Handbook of Clinical Audiology. 7th edn. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

How do I get diagnosed for APD

At Sonant Hearing Clinic, we have an Auditory Processing Disorder Specialist who can complete a suite of tests needed to diagnose for Auditory processing disorder. We can perform your assessment online over Zoom or in person in our clinic. The order of tests include the below:

Case History and Medical History, Questionaires completion
Comprehensive hearing assessments (Must be done in clinic)
Words in Quiet Test (online/remote)
Words in Noise Test (online/remote)
Staggered Spondaic Words Tests (SSW) (online/remote)
Phonemic Synthesis Test (online/remote)
Phonemic Error Analysis
Analysis of results
Report Writing
Explanation of Results and Recommendations for Therapy
Medical referral if indicated from results as well as sharing of results with primary health providers with patient consent.

You can book with Sonant Hearing for your APD assessment or call us on 01634 479550

What support is there for APD

We can offer APD therapy face to face, online over video calls, via apps.

If at work or in school, following diagnosis we can share suggestions with teachers etc for things to do in order to accommodate one with APD.

This site cover available support for APD.

Do Hearing Aids help with APD

Following an APD assessment, We have fitted some clients with low gain aids (LGHA), these aids have been carefully measured and verified to ensure that they do not exceed required levels and provide exactly what is needed. Most patients have typically reported success with their low gain hearing aids. Having access to alterable noise reduction programs, directional microphones has been beneficial with today's hearing aids. (Crum, et.al. 2024)

Do remote microphones help with APD

Yes there is growing evidence to show that remote microphones and FM systems are beneficial for improving speech significantly in complex listening environments. (Crum, et.al. (2024)

What strategies can I use at home, work or school to manage my APD

At home, you can use similar skills to what we have shared in our dealing with listening fatigue post as well as using.

Written materials, lecture slides, or transcripts
Live transcription or note‑takers
Preferential seating
Quiet rooms for group work or exams
Subtitles and speech‑to‑text apps
Live Listen on iphones and apple airpods have proved helpful for some to an extent.

Can Adults get APD?

APD is divided into developmental (without an established cause), acquired (with an established cause) and secondary (a consequence of long-term peripheral hearing loss. Yes, adults can get APD. Unfortunately due to limited access to diagnosis for most. A lot of children have grown up into adults never having had themselves formally assessed and diagnosed.

Fortunately, help is available for children and adults with APD at Sonant Hearing Clinic.