ABSTRACT
Hearing is a complex process that requires the ability to detect sound waves via the peripheral auditory system and the ability of the central nervous system to process the subsequent electrical impulses sent from the inner ear. The underlying aetiology of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is diverse and not completely understood. It may result from degenerative disease, neurotoxic drugs, a seizure disorder or primary central auditory nervous system lesions to name a few examples, although most patients have no identifiable structural pathology. Suspicion for APD should be raised when a patient has a history of functional impairment in learning, reading and language development or difficulty in noisy listening environments. History is a critical portion of the assessment provided by the patient, family members, teachers or employers. Once the diagnosis of APD has been made, treatment should be started immediately, especially for paediatric patients to take advantage of the inherent neuroplasticity of the developing child’s brain.
