Many Children(and adults alike) have perfectly normal hearing on traditional hearing tests. However, if there is a problem in the Central Auditory System (between the inner ear and the brain)traditional tests cannot reach the problem area. Only deeper, more specific testing for Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD) will locate the site and degree of the problem.

What is Central Auditory Processing? Simply put it is how the brain processes the auditory signal. The brain may process sound easily, but the meaning of the sound (speech) may be impaired if the signal was interfered with in the central auditory system. This does not mean a child is slow or learning disabled or any other label you have heard, it means some extra time may be required to train the central auditory system to better process signals. Sometimes FM systems are recommended to improve the classroom signal-to-noise ratio.

To determine if a child has CAPD is a two step process. The first is a traditional hearing evaluation to rule hearing loss out of the equation. On a separate visit (so as not to over-tire the child) the CAPD test batery is administered. This takes approximatly 25-40 minutes. After the test results have been categorized the results will be discussed and appropriate follow-up counseling, rehabilitation and/or school recommendations will be addressed.