CENTRAL AUDITORY PROCESSING
AUDITORY PROCESS DISORDER
ADULTS
AUDITORY PROCESS DISORDER
ADULTS
(please excuse spelling and grammar errors - author is visually challenged)
INTRODUCTION: I write this article with the hope that others who go about their world in a state of "sound" confusion can discover and explore concepts of a "Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)" / "Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)". I so hope you will experience the life-changing ah, ah moment in which I embraced the existence of an Auditory Processing Disorder and have erased self-doubt regarding strengths, courage, capability and intelligence.
What is a Central Auditory Processing Disorder?
Difficulties with auditory processing is referred to as a Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) or by others, simply Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). The word "central" in this title indicates that APD originates in the brainstem of the brain. At this site a malfunction on this central structure leaves one without a clear interruption of the reception of a sound being received. Auditory processing gone wrong invites difficulties in all aspects of communication including and understanding of expressions of speech and sound.
What does brain function have to do with hearing?
In order for one to understand what is being said demands a series of complex auditory processes.. Precision of sequences within the brainstem (thus processing) must be flawless. When one of many finely tasks and sequences fail in the process and presentation to the brain, we are left with an inaccurate message and often confused by what we have heard.
How did I (author) discover the existence of an Auditory Processing Disorder? Did this discovery make life less intense and confused?
Out of pure and near intolerable frustration of "not getting it", I was compelled to seek information pertaining to the types of hearing loss. In that Google search ("Hearing Loss Types"), I found myself reading about a hearing-loss type termed Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)....this was my first introduction to this malfunction and its role in hearing. I was well informed of the nature of a conductive hearing loss and to a co-existing neurosensory deficit as both these have been personal hearing hardships for many years. To accept that a third obstacle to hearing existed was very difficult.....it was just too much to absorb however the more I read, the more certain I was that within the field of other personal hearing issues I also fall into the category of being an individual with an Auditory Processing Disorder.
On Google, it was my intent to search for the foundation, physiology and symptomatology of APD. Once assured that I had enough information to move beyond the "nature" of this deficit, I began to match my personal hearing experiences "gone wrong" to that of testimonies of others online. In doing so, I was propelled from one life- event to another and as far back as age six.
The discovery of the presence of an APD left me spellbound and astounded as I continued to acknowledge my personal past hearing-history. The identification and recognition of events in which APD played a prominent role were confirming and validating of my struggles with sound/noise. This moment was life-changing. To ensure I had made an accurate diagnosis, I sought the opinion of an otologist and a neuropsychologist.
Information is indeed powerful as this research exercise provided the answer to a puzzle which is now complete and the expectations I have of self have greatly shifted. In essence, the awareness of an existing APD came with clarity. It clearly identifies that I receive sound as "noise" and remain unable to sort out background sounds. This scramble indicates that processing of sound continues to go wrong. All sounds become contaminated by other sounds present......I feel bombarded and become all-consumed in order to focus and extract on the sound shapes that are relevant.
Now, with the knowledge of an existing Auditory Processing Disorder, I can rightfully sit back and give myself permission to understand that the remark of a family member to the effect that I was "the village idiot" was not of substance.
In keeping with the past, I felt reason to excuse my inability to receive sound in the same manner as peers as lack of intelligence. I also realized that I had been working significantly harder than others to achieve that which my peers so comfortably attained. Perseverance, curiosity and endurance (basically, stubborn) are inheritant to my personality.
Coping Strategies (many being subconsciously applied)
1) Speechreading: My personal progressive hearing loss and balance disorder has dictated the element of wheelchair dependency. In my initial years of finding mobility solutions, I took time out to distract myself from the fact that a wheelchair had become an invasive tool and began to study speechreading. The skill presented a tremendous challenge and once achieved I enjoyed teaching speechreading skills. Indeed benefits of this communication technique is my greatest coping strategy. It is my key to socialization, personal growth, values and principles.
2) Sharing one's need for language-adaptions. Asking that individuals present speech in a slow manner has been received with great enthusiasm. Oh how I wish I had been aware of this disorder in my 30's. In hindsight it is obvious that I participated only in physical activities that required minimal conversation. I became very active on the skill hill, participated in the equestrian realm, archery, photography, free lance writing, and art-related projects. These activities did not call upon my constant need to communicate and provided me a sense of accomplishment. My "personal best" became my mantra.
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| Artist - Melanie Elliott |
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| Skier |
Balance therapy / Equestrian Interests
Oh how I regret that I was not aware of an Auditory Processing Disorder and its implications in communication in my earlier years. It greatly influenced my professional career choice....one that demanded minimal verbal communication. As years passed I made a decision to participate at a more-progressive level and the transition along the high road was incredibly rough. At the end of each day, I left the workplace so exhausted that I had to take a break and meditate before driving home. Eventually after great endurance, I found a balance.
3) Humor is a tremendous tool to for both participants. Individuals gain a sense of trust and an appreciation of how a hard-of-hearing individual can cope. When the hard of hearing individual reaches out in this manner his efforts are embraced and received with kindness.
It is interesting that my identical twin and myself - both with APD - subconsciously managed
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| Identical twins: Melodie & Melanie |
to get over rough spots whereas, I was an intense
individual and very sensitive to errors in
conversations etc. (These opposite methods are
in keeping what is known as mirror images - her
left was my right.....humor worked for her whereas
and in an opposite manner, I subconsciously was
very intense and with great anxiety and frustration.
I had a need to excel thus being an overachiever.
4) Fatigue: Do not deny your fatigue as such is counter-productive....a lengthy timeline in a nosy setting can put you out of commission. Taking a break and removing yourself, even if it means finding peace in a washroom, is essential. I have witnessed hard of hearing individuals becoming so overwhelmed with mixed sounds/noise that they experience extreme nausea & vomiting and this being followed by an intense migraine.
5) Give yourself permission that you have the right to ask for adaptions and translations. It is time to put aside independence and jeopardize your receiving a complete picture.
6) A Positive Validating Attitude can be fed by exercises of affirmation and validation. In time you will come to never question your courage, wisdom, and heart.
7) Support Nucleus: Surround yourself with a sound support nucleus/circle of individuals who you have great respect. Ensure your supporter believes in you and wants to be aboard and be a part of your successes. Remember to voice your appreciation of your supporter's efforts -- this can never be excessive.
8) Get a sense of who you are.
9) Set personal values and keep to that path.
What questions should you ask yourself in an effort to rule in our rule out the possibility of this disorder?
I so wish I could tell you what questions to ask yourself if you feel a Central Auditory Processing Disorder APD/CAPD) is present. A am unable to provide a cue as we are so unique in our personal hearing history found in our life-related events.
Despite finding an answer through self-awareness of our past, it is imperative you make a visit to an otologist so that he can accurately determine what and how to manage the disorder. Don't find yourself stuck or make assumptions. There is no cure for APD however coping strategies can provide you with peace, self-confidence, wisdom, less anxiety and comforts you never thought possible
What causes an Auditory Processing Disorder?
Introduction:
(note that the following details are shared with an identical twin)
There is little information available on this topic as it has only been explored in detail after 1990. I trust the following will shed some light to this question.
a) A Genetic Disorder? As an identical twin and with both of us experiencing APD, such would likely support that it is, in part, genetic.
b) Birth Trauma - From a person perspective, my twin and I experienced difficult births and this could be the causation of our APD. It is this event that clouds the absolute of the APD being genetic.
c) Exposure to toxic chemicals
d) Bacterial or viral infection
e) This disorder commonly co-exists with Vestibular Disorders, Movement Disorders, Autism, Tourette's, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke, Visual Processing Disorder etc.
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CONCLUSION:
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
SET PERSONAL GOALS AND VALUES AND KEEP TO THAT PATH
GAIN A SENSE OF WHO YOU ARE
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Reference 1: Devon Barnes, Clinical Director, Learn Fast Education (YouTube): an excellent
information resource
Reference 2: http://judithpatton.com
Reference 3: http//www.idonline.org/article/visual and auditory processing disorders
Reference 4: http://www.neld.org/types-learning-disabilities
Reference 5: http://www.daitnstitute.org/what is capd.htm
Reference 6: http//voices-yahoo.com/auditory-brainstem-complications-confused
Reference 7: http;//www.opnet2@aol.com ("Subconsciously Speaking" - article written by Dr.
Rayma Ditson-Sommer, July-August 2003 - Newsletter of the IMDHA)
