Auditory Processing Disorder Test

Auditory processing disorder (APD) — sometimes called central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) — is a condition where the brain has difficulty processing the sounds it hears, despite the ears working normally. People with APD can hear sounds but struggle to make sense of them, particularly in noisy environments.

Signs of APD

APD can affect both children and adults. Common signs include:

• Difficulty understanding speech in background noise
• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
• Difficulty following spoken instructions, especially multi-step ones
• Problems with reading, spelling, or learning in children
• Difficulty telling similar-sounding words apart
• Being easily distracted by sounds

APD can be mistaken for hearing loss, attention deficit disorder, or learning difficulties. A specialist assessment is needed to distinguish it from these conditions.

How APD is tested

APD is diagnosed through a battery of specialist tests carried out by an audiologist trained in APD assessment. Tests typically include:

• Standard hearing test — to confirm that hearing sensitivity is normal
• Speech-in-noise testing — assessing the ability to understand speech against background noise
• Dichotic listening tests — different sounds are played to each ear simultaneously
• Temporal processing tests — measuring the brain's ability to process the timing of sounds
• Gap detection tests — assessing the ability to detect brief silences within sounds

Testing is generally only carried out on children aged 7 and above, as younger children's auditory systems are still developing.

Where to get tested

APD assessment is available through:

• NHS audiology departments — some have specialists in APD, though availability varies and waiting times can be long
• Private audiologists — specialist APD assessment typically costs £200–£500
• University audiology clinics — some UK universities offer APD assessment as part of their training programmes