Wellington Hearing Association, Inc

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) Community Pilot Project

 

Hearing Wellington is engaging local schools starting with Porirua and working with children between the ages of 6 - 11 years to determine the level of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) and the effectiveness of a computer-based testing and treatment therapy.

 

Auditory processing difficulties are unrelated to intelligence. Highly intelligent people can have APD. The greatest factor in success for a child with auditory processing disorder is the attitude and understanding of their teachers, parents and caretakers.

 

Background

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Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a difficulty understanding what is heard.

People who have these difficulties often have normal hearing sensitivity, however their brain struggles to interpret, organise, and remember what is said especially in background noise.

People with auditory processing disorder (APD) do not have a sensory hearing loss, so APD cannot be identified from a regular hearing test. APD affects both young and old people.

 

The overall prevalence of APD in children in New Zealand is estimated at 6.2% with higher rates in some populations (35% for Pacific).

APD often coexists with other learning difficulties and can have similar presentations. For this reason, it can sometimes be difficult to identify the cause of learning difficulties.

 

FAQ's About APD and the Community Pilot:

 

What is an Auditory Processing Disorder Test?

​Currently the hospital/health are not prioritising tests and audiologist's charge for service.

For the pilot project, Hearing Wellington will be using the Feather Squadron, a computer based APD testing developed by Matt Barker, Acoustic Pioneer (Audiologist).

• Feather Squadron is an iPad app (developed by Dr Matt Barker) and is designed for children 6-7 years and above and measures the different areas of auditory processing.

• The online Auditory Processing Screening test takes approximately 30minutes per child (maybe less).. Once completed a professional report will be provided with recommendations.

• It can be administered by community-based testers within a very short training space.

• A quiet room is required, and multiple children can be tested at one time.

 

How is an Auditory Processing Disorder Screening performed?

The screening test comprises a 5-minute hearing screening and a series of mini games (testing for listening and auditory perception skills).

 

Who should consider an Auditory Processing Disorder Test?

If a child struggles with understanding spoken language, following directions, or is easily distracted by background noise, they may benefit from this test.

 

What age is appropriate for an Auditory Processing Disorder Test?

Most professionals recommend testing for Auditory Processing Disorder from the age of 7 onwards.

 

How can I prepare my child for an Auditory Processing Disorder Test?

Ensure your child is well-rested and comfortable before the test. Explain that they will be listening to sounds and answering questions about what they hear.