auditory processing disorder
A condition in which the central auditory nervous system fails to process auditory information normally, despite peripheral hearing sensitivity within normal limits.
Full Definition
Auditory processing disorder (APD), also termed central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), involves deficits in one or more central auditory processes such as auditory discrimination, temporal processing, binaural integration, or auditory pattern recognition. Peripheral hearing thresholds are typically within normal limits, yet individuals struggle with understanding speech in noise, following verbal instructions, or discriminating similar sounds. Diagnosis requires a battery of specific audiological tests beyond standard audiometry. Editors must be careful not to use APD and CAPD interchangeably without confirming the author's preferred nomenclature, as some professional bodies favor one term over the other. The condition is distinct from attention deficit disorder, with which it is frequently confused in educational and lay copy.
Usage
Usage note: APD and CAPD are used by different professional bodies; flag inconsistent usage. Do not conflate with ADHD, with which it shares some behavioral symptoms.
In Context
- "The school audiologist suspected auditory processing disorder after the child failed the dichotic listening and temporal gap detection subtests." — Pediatric audiology report
- "APD is sometimes misidentified as an attention deficit in classroom settings, underscoring the importance of precise editorial language." — Professional journal article