Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), sometimes called auditory processing disorder, occurs when the brain has difficulty processing sounds. CAPD is not a hearing loss. Individuals with CAPD typically have normal hearing sensitivity, but their brains have difficulty processing or interpreting sounds, especially in challenging listening environments such as noisy classrooms.
Possible Signs of CAPD
Children with CAPD may show one or more of the following behaviors:
- Difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments
- Trouble following complex or multi-step directions
- Frequently asking people to repeat themselves (“What?” or “Huh?”)
- Taking longer to respond in conversations
- Difficulty understanding rapid speech
- Trouble identifying where sounds are coming from
- Difficulty learning songs, rhymes, or new languages
- Misunderstanding tone of voice, sarcasm, or humor
- Difficulty paying attention or being easily distracted
- Challenges with reading, spelling, or other language-based learning tasks
These behaviors are not unique to CAPD and may also occur with other conditions.
Who Is a Candidate for CAPD Evaluation?
CAPD assessments are typically appropriate for children who:
- Are 7 years of age or older
- Have normal hearing sensitivity
- Have average or above average intellectual ability
- Students preparing to enter technical colleges or universities may also benefit from CAPD evaluation if they experience listening or learning difficulties and may require academic accommodations.
Adults with concerns about listening or learning may contact the clinic to be added to a waitlist for an evaluation with a speech-language pathologist.
What to Expect During the Evaluation
Before the appointment, patients or families complete a case history form. Our staff reviews this information and then schedules the evaluation.
The CAPD evaluation includes audiology and speech-language assessments, typically completed during the same visit. After the appointment, the CAPD team reviews the results together and develops recommendations. Patients receive a personalized report that summarizes the test results and provides recommendations for support at home, school, or work.
