Auditory processing (AP) is what the brain does with sound, not a measure of how well the ears hear. AP involves recognizing, interpreting, and organizing auditory information. When a person struggles with this ability, they may have an Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), also known as Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). Individuals with APD typically have normal hearing, but they experience difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments, or following complex verbal directions. Targeted strategies can enhance the brain’s ability to process sound efficiently.
Professional Auditory Training Programs
Formal auditory training programs are structured, intensive approaches administered by audiologists or speech-language pathologists following a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. The goal is to leverage the brain’s neuroplasticity to strengthen the neural pathways responsible for auditory skills.
One common area of focus is Temporal Processing Training, which addresses the ability to analyze the timing and sequencing of sounds. Difficulty here can make it hard to distinguish between phonemes, such as the difference between “bat” and “vat”. Computer-based programs like Fast ForWord use acoustically altered speech sounds, which are initially slowed and emphasized, and then gradually returned to normal speed and complexity as the listener improves. This method aims to build stronger auditory discrimination and sequencing skills by providing immediate feedback.
Dichotic Listening Training targets the brain’s ability to process different information presented simultaneously to both ears. This training is designed for individuals who struggle with binaural integration deficits, meaning they have trouble using information from both ears together. Techniques like Dichotic Interaural Intensity Difference (DIID) training work by giving a listening advantage to the weaker ear, initially by reducing the intensity in the stronger ear, and then gradually increasing the challenge as performance improves.
Some programs, such as Auditory Integration Training (AIT), involve listening to specially filtered and modulated music over an intensive, short period, often 10 to 20 days. The music is modified to help normalize the way the brain processes auditory information and may specifically target sound sensitivities or hyperacusis. Professional guidance is necessary to ensure the program is tailored to the individual’s specific profile of auditory deficits.
Environmental Modifications and Assistive Technology
While professional training focuses on internal cognitive change, environmental modifications and assistive technology offer external solutions to immediately improve the clarity of the auditory signal. These strategies are often referred to as “bottom-up” approaches because they improve the quality of the sound input before it reaches the brain. Minimizing background noise is the most common and effective modification, as noise is particularly challenging for a person with APD.
Reducing acoustic interference can be achieved by simple steps, such as closing doors and windows or ensuring a quiet space for important conversations. In educational or work settings, structural changes like adding carpeting, drapes, or acoustical panels can significantly enhance the listening environment by reducing echo and reverberation. Sitting close to the speaker or instructor also helps by ensuring the voice signal is dominant over any competing sounds.
Assistive Listening Devices (ALD), especially Frequency Modulated (FM) systems, provide a more direct way to overcome noise. In a classroom, the speaker wears a small microphone, and their voice is transmitted wirelessly to a receiver worn by the listener. This technology dramatically improves the signal-to-noise ratio by delivering the speaker’s voice directly into the listener’s ear, bypassing the negative effects of distance and background distractions. Other tools include personal sound amplification products and noise-canceling headphones, which help reduce overstimulation from loud or erratic sounds.
Daily Home-Based Auditory Exercises
Daily, low-tech auditory exercises can complement formal training by reinforcing attention, memory, and discrimination skills. These activities focus on building general cognitive abilities that support auditory function, rather than clinically targeting a specific APD deficit. They are easy to integrate into a daily routine using readily available resources.
Practicing auditory memory is essential and can be done through games that require recalling sequences of information. A classic example is the “I Went to the Store” game, where each player adds an item to a growing list, challenging short-term memory and sequencing. Following multi-step directions, such as a complex sequence of actions like “touch your nose, clap your hands twice, and then spin around,” also trains the ability to hold and execute auditory information.
Auditory discrimination can be improved through games that focus on identifying and differentiating sounds. Simple activities include having a person close their eyes and guess the source of a sound, such as snapping fingers or crumpling paper. Another exercise is “Name the Mistake,” where a familiar song or story is read aloud with intentional changes to the words or word order, requiring the listener to spot the error.
Rhythm and pitch training, often incorporated through musical activities, can also support temporal processing skills. Simple exercises involve clapping out the syllables of words or names to connect rhythm with language structure. Engaging in activities like “Simon Says” requires focused auditory attention and quick motor responses, which helps integrate listening with action and filter out non-essential commands.