auditory processing disorder in adults adhd

Recently, the British Society of Audiology (BSA) recommended using both speech and non-speech stimuli in auditory tests ( BSA, 2011). Regarding assessment methods, there are a number of auditory processing tests: the dichotic listening test (DLT), speech in noise test, gap detection test (GDT), and so on. However, studies on APD in adults are comparatively rare.Įach country has its own diagnosis and treatment system for APD. Thus, we have to take the subject's personality and mental status into consideration when supporting subjects with APD. It is possible that these listening problems in adults with APD influence their mental health. Therefore, most adults with APD often have trouble at work. They show difficulties with telephone conversations, following complex directions, learning a new language, and so on. Adults with APD tend to show difficulties in all aspects of their lives and especially at work. Additionally, APD symptoms exist in young and middle-aged adults. Prevalence estimates of APD in school-aged children are 2–5% ( Chermak and Musiek, 1997), and in older adults, 23–76% ( Cooper and Gates, 1991). They also have poor sound localization, impaired dichotic listening, and auditory perceptual deficits ( American Academy of Audiology (AAA), 2010). Subjects with auditory processing disorder (APD) have normal hearing, but find it difficult to understand spoken messages that are complex or under noisy conditions. For this purpose, we should take psychological characteristics into consideration at the time of the medical examination interview before audio-psychological testing. We have to take notice of a subject's psychological state when they perceive their listening difficulties as a large-scale problem and feel anxious as a result. However, there was no significant relationship between the results of the auditory processing tests and psychological characteristics. Furthermore, subjects with APD show relatively similar psychological characteristics to each other. Especially, the scores were low on the auditory memory test.

This study included 22 adults who complained of listening problems in everyday life, and they underwent auditory processing tests and were questioned regarding their psychological characteristics.įrom the results of the auditory processing tests, all subjects showed low scores on at least one test therefore, they were suspected of having APD. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationships between the results of auditory tests, APD symptoms, and psychological status in subjects with APD. However, studies on APD in adults are comparatively rare. Most adults with auditory processing disorder (APD) often have trouble at work.

Auditory processing disorder in adults adhd