Kid And Mum

What Is Auditory Processing?

Auditory processing is how the brain uses incoming sounds. A hearing test tells you how well your ears pick up soft sounds. But an auditory processing assessment looks at the whole auditory system – from your ears to your brain! 

Auditory processing abilities can decline later in life, contributing to the reason adults may struggle to hear in noisy places or in a group socializing.

For children, although they may be born with good hearing sensitivity it takes time for the amazing hearing parts of the brain to strengthen and develop. As auditory processing strengthens, children learn to decipher speech and translate sound into meaningful information. They learn to filter out distractions and focus on what matters most.

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) can occur due to delayed development, frequent middle ear problems, as part of neurological disorders, or following brain injury or concussion. APD is common in those with reading or spelling difficulties, Dyslexia, and language delay. Autistic people often experience difficulties with auditory processing. Problems can happen at any stage of life, with any level of IQ or learning ability.

We understand auditory processing and how this can affect quality of life and ability to learn or work.

Why Test For APD?

Research tells us that APD is common, about one student in every classroom. The good news is that APD is very treatable because our brains are incredible at changing. 

Building a strong auditory system is important because this is the foundation for listening, learning and literacy development. In children APD can impact social communication, speech and language development, and academic progress. 

For adults, difficulties with auditory processing can explain why hearing in noisy environments is so difficult and why you may be feeling very tired and frustrated from trying to listen. APD can occur despite passing a standard hearing test so it is important to see an Audiologist who specializes in APD.

Addressing APD in both adults and children is important because good hearing helps us communicate, has a protective effect on well-being, and reduces stress and anxiety levels. 

Happy boy in class

Help With APD & Hearing

More than an Audiogram

APD testing dives deeper than a standard audiogram to better understand how the brain processes sound. The assessment uncovers the causes of hearing challenges that children and adults may face and provides solutions to improve the ability to understand speech, even in challenging situations.

Sound Sensitivity and Autism

For autistic people auditory challenges are very common. This may be experiencing heightened sensitivity to sounds, feeling overwhelmed in noisy place, and difficulty filtering and focusing on important sounds such as speech. By helping to understand these differences and applying interventions we aim to enhance learning and social communication skills, and contribute to overall well-being.

Brain Injury and Concussion

Concussion, trauma in early development, or brain injury can cause disruptions to the auditory system. It is common for the disruption to occur in the hearing parts of the brain, rather than in the ear. That’s why in addition to a hearing test or audiogram, an auditory processing assessment is essential to really understand the presenting hearing problem. We work alongside ACC to assist individuals in managing auditory challenges post-injury. We are experienced in providing audiological support for those with neurological conditions that affect auditory pathways. 

Unlock Learning Potential

Hearing is the gateway to learning in a busy classroom. Auditory processing disorder can hold children back in school, affecting their academic success and self-esteem. APD often coincides with specific learning disorders including dyslexia, and can be an underlying cause of reading and spelling difficulties. By identifying and addressing auditory hurdles early on, you pave the way for smoother learning experiences, especially crucial during those formative years.

Listening with Focus

Sometimes listening difficulties are caused by more than just our ears. Listening difficulties can be due to attention problems and are often experienced by those with ADHD. When listening is hard it is important to check hearing and auditory processing skills. Interventions to improve listening can be tailored to suit individual needs, whether they’re related to the hearing, attention, language, cognition, or a combination. 

We don’t just test for APD, we help build stronger auditory systems.

What Are Treatments For APD?

Tailored Auditory Training

Auditory training is tailored to target specific hearing deficits, such as strengthening a weaker ear when there is amblyaudia, or enhancing spatial processing skills to improve listening in the busy classroom. We offer both app-based and in-clinic options to suit individual needs.

Classroom Support

Children and their teachers need to be well supported, so they can achieve the best outcome possible with the training techniques and hearing equipment prescribed to them. Having an audiologist readily available for your child’s teacher is a great way to make sure everyone is on-board and well supported throughout the school year. 

Effective Amplification Solutions

Amplification strengthens auditory processing abilities and helps overcome listening challenges. Remote microphone systems (RMHA systems) work wonders in the classroom, benefiting students with APD, as well as those with ADHD, Dyslexia, and Autism. Low-gain hearing aids (LGHA’s) paired to a remote microphone are also a great option for adults and older students. Most students will get funding from Ministry of Health or Ministry of Education. 

Targeted Literacy and Language Therapy

Literacy and language therapy can be used to target the effects of auditory processing deficits. Working with a speech language therapists, teacher or literacy tutor can help children to improve their language skills and make sense of the sounds which make up words.

Headphones On Kid

Experienced & Trusted

Only an Audiologist can diagnose APD and it is best to see an Audiologist who specialises in this area. At APD Specialists you are in good hands as we have helped thousands of students and adults over many years. Being a specialist clinic we keep up with the most current research based assessment and interventions. 

APD Specialists receives referrals from all around the country. Our expertise is recommended by ENT’s, Paediatricians, Educational Psychologists, Speech-language Therapists, Ministry of Education and Audiologists.

We follow the NZ guidelines, using specialist tests and equipment to provide a thorough assessment. We then help you understand the results, provide a detailed report and plan for intervention. A phone call to discuss your concerns will help you to navigate the next best steps. 

Treatments improve auditory processing, learning and quality of life.

Your APD Specialist Audiologist

Joanna Wallace

Joanna Wallace

MAud (hon), MNZAS, CCC

Audiologist 

Joanna is an experienced audiologist in both paediatric and adult hearing care who completed her Masters in Audiology at The University of Auckland. She has worked in public and private healthcare, including Charge Audiologist at Counties Manukau DHB, Council Member for the National Foundation of the Deaf, and established the visiting audiology service in Niue. Her main area of expertise include assessment and treatment of hearing and listening problems related to auditory processing disorders, Autism, ADHD, and brain injury. Her work is evidence-based and current. Joanna is also a Professional Teaching Fellow at the University of Auckland where she lectures in audiology clinical skills and APD for the Masters of Audiology program. Joanna offers clinical supervision and upskilling to audiologists. 

With funding from a TSB New Zealand grant in 2021, Joanna started Listen Launchpad. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Listen Launchpad reduces barriers to accessing auditory processing services for children in  Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland. 

Exceptional care and communication

“I was blown away with her professionalism and the incredible rapport that she formed with my son in such a short space of time. Joanna engaged with him, explained everything to him and made him feel at ease with the process. Joanna explained the results with me in a way that I could understand, provided me with full knowledge of what options were available to us. My son still talks about Joanna and time there with her.”

— Parent

Funding and Support for APD

Joanna is a registered member of the NZ Audiology Society, ACC provider and Ministry of Health Hearing Aid Funding Scheme and Subsidy provider. 

APD Specialists is an affiliated provider for Southern Cross and NIB Health Insurance. We use Southern Cross EasyClaim. 

For some children with significant learning needs, remote microphone hearing aid (RMHA) systems may be covered through Ministry of Education Assistive Technology funding. We can help you and your school to access this service.

We provide an affordable fitting service for RMHA systems.  

Schools can link in with our Listen Launchpad pathway – supported by funding from TSB New Zealand, Listen Launchpad removes barriers to accessing auditory processing services and treatments for kiwi kids. The APD assessment is free for families. 

Check out the following links for more information on APD:

New Zealand guidelines on APD for PARENTS, EDUCATION PROVIDERS, and MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

Ministry of Education INFORMATION PAGE on what support is available for students with APD

HEAR4FAMILIES NZ support group

Start Your Journey To Better Hearing

Hearing is important. It the gateway to learning in the classroom, connects us to others, and protects our wellbeing.

We’d Love To Help You.

 

Contact

027 9 227 227

Clinic Hours

Monday 8:30am – 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am – 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm

Location

The Stichbury Bidwill Centre 
251 Campbell Road, Greenlane, Auckland 1061
Patient parking available off William Ave