People with APD have trouble understanding what they hear correctly. This can make it hard to follow conversations, listen to music, and remember spoken instructions. It’s usually a problem in noisy places or environments with lots of sounds – like a living room with people talking while the TV is on.
People with APD sometimes have problems understanding what words mean. This might not be related to any problems with their hearing but may be due to problems with other parts of their brain. These parts help them understand what they’re hearing.
One study examined how often people with auditory processing disorder have other developmental issues, like dyslexia and speech or language problems. Another common problem associated with APD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
ADHD and APD: What’s the Connection?
There are some similarities between ADHD and APD. For example, people with ADHD may find it difficult to follow conversations or remember instructions.
There is a lot of overlap between disorders that APD is often associated with, so the researchers who did the earlier systematic review weren’t sure if APD is a separate clinical diagnosis or simply a symptom of ADHD and other disorders.
ADHD can make it hard for people to pay attention to what they hear and remember what was said. This can make it difficult to understand what was said, especially if there is a lot of background noise.
Methods and Accommodations for Dealing with Auditory Processing Issues
If you have ADHD, APD, or both, here are some tricks and tips for managing your symptoms.
Reduce Background Noise.
Close windows and doors, and turn off any unnecessary machinery or appliances. Getting rid of competing noise can help you focus on and process what you need to hear, whether it’s a teacher, a coworker, or a friend.
If you’re having trouble following a conversation, pause and ask them to wait while you remove background noise or, if possible, relocate to a less noisy location.
Make use of noise-canceling headphones.
Connecting your computer or phone to noise-canceling headphones with a microphone can make it much easier to hear and understand the person on the other end of a virtual meeting or phone conversation. They can also block out annoying or distracting noises while working or studying.
Turn on Subtitles.
Subtitles can help you catch things you might have missed or clarify things you might have misheard while watching a show or video. Similarly, finding the lyrics to your favorite songs and reading them while listening to them can help you gain a new understanding and appreciation for the song. Both are also beneficial as your brain matches the written words with the spoken dialogue or lyrics.
Face the people you’re speaking with.
Face the person speaking and keep an eye on their mouth as they speak in person. Decoding their speech can be more accurate if you combine their mouth movements with their voice.
Request that people repeat themselves or speak more slowly.
The worst thing is being caught not understanding or following what someone just said.
You know the agony of pretending to follow a conversation only to respond with an inappropriate response. As awkward as it may be, asking someone to repeat something is preferable to risking misunderstanding or forgetting it later.
Take notes on any spoken instructions or information.
Take notes during your classes or meetings to help you process the information you hear and avoid forgetting it. Make a list of everything you think you’ll need to know or remember later.
You can also record meetings, lectures, or phone calls to listen to them later.
