Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) refers to deficits in the neural processing of auditory information, not due to higher order language or cognition, as demonstrated by poor performance in one or more of the skills listed above (ASHA, 2005).
Signs and symptoms of CAPD may include one or more of the following behavioral characteristics:
- Difficulty localizing sound
- Difficulty understanding spoken language in competing messages, in noisy backgrounds, in reverberant environments, or when presented rapidly
- Taking longer to respond in oral communication situations
- Frequent requests for repetitions, saying “what” and “huh” frequently
- Inconsistent or inappropriate responding
- Difficulty comprehending and following rapid speech
- Difficulty following complex auditory directions or commands
- Difficulty learning songs or nursery rhymes
- Misunderstanding messages, such as detecting prosody changes that help to interpret sarcasm or jokes
- Poor musical and singing skills
- Difficulty paying attention
- Being easily distracted
- Poor performance on speech and language or psychoeducational tests in the areas of auditory-related skills
- Associated reading, spelling, and learning problems
- Difficulty learning a new language
We no longer complete Central Auditory Processing (CAP) evaluations at our university clinic.