AUDITORY PROCESSING EVALUATION & THERAPY IN KELOWNA
Hearing & Listening are Not the Same Thing. Auditory Processing Challenges Can Affect How a Child Understands Sound, Even With Perfect Hearing.
Hearing & Listening are Not the Same Thing. Auditory Processing Challenges Can Affect How a Child Understands Sound, Even With Perfect Hearing.
Whether your child has trouble following instructions, seems to zone out in noisy environments, or struggles with reading and language, it might not be their ears—it might be how their brain is processing sound. At Lakeside Hearing, we offer diagnostic assessments to identify Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) and provide personalized support that helps your child feel more focused, confident, and capable in everyday situations.
WHAT ARE COMMON SIGNS OF
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)?
How do I find out if my child has APD?
An auditory processing assessment must be conducted by a registered Audiologist. The audiologist will begin by taking a detailed case history from the parent and also look at any supporting documents such as information from the physician, teacher, speech-language pathologist etc., if available.
Next, the audiologist will evaluate the child’s hearing and middle ear function. The audiologist will then administer some APD behavioural tests in order to assess performance on various auditory tasks in different listening conditions.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON
Auditory Processing Disorder Tests?
The diagnostic assessment is based on consensus from the Canadian Interorganizational Steering Group for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology www.speechandhearing.ca
Once we know your child has Auditory Processing difficulties:
We walk you through what it means, and how we can support their listening, learning, and daily confidence.
We want to help your child’s brain process sound more efficiently in order to make it easier for them in busy/noisy environments. Auditory training programs can be completed at home or at the Lakeside Hearing Clinic.
Depending on your child’s areas of weakness, your audiologist may recommend auditory training programs such as:
https://capdots.com/ (completed at-home with help of a parent/guardian)
https://www.hearbuilder.com/ (completed at home by your child)
Or, An individualized in-clinic training program designed by the audiologist which may include (but is not limited to): two ear listening tasks to activate the brain’s interhemispheric transfer function, sound/phoneme blending, and separating speech from noise. (price/length will vary based on need’s of child).
Your child’s ears detect/hear perfectly – and yet they are still struggling to listen in background noise. A traditional hearing aid will not help because your child doesn’t have a hearing loss.
However, your child will have an easier time listening in the classroom if we can boost the signal-to-noise (teacher’s voice-to-peer’s chatter) ratio. We can boost the signal-to-noise ratio if the child uses a personal remote microphone system.
What is a remote microphone system?
A very discreet ear level receiver (worn by the child) that connects via Bluetooth to a small transmitter (clipped to the teacher’s shirt). This brings the teacher’s voice directly into the child’s ear giving them that clear signal that will allow them to follow along more easily in the classroom.
ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATION
Some common environmental recommendations for children with APD are:
- Reduce external visual and auditory distractions as much as possible
- Preferential seating in the classroom near the teacher and away from auditory and visual distractions and noise sources like heating and cooling systems
- Avoid asking the child to listen and write at the same time. Sometimes a buddy can share notes with the child or the teacher may provide the child with notes
- Encourage the child to ask questions for clarification
- To improve the listening situation, the audiologist may recommend the use of a device that transmits the teacher’s voice directly to the child’s ear through a headset. This is called an FM system.
- Use visual aids and write instructions to supplement spoken information
- Use simple, brief directions
- Speak slowly and clearly but not exaggerate speech
- Recognize fatigue and give breaks when needed
Compensatory Strategies: Self Advocacy, listening strategies, and coping skills are provided to help the individual manage difficult listening situations.
