Auditory Processing Testing by qualified Audiologist

Sometimes referred to as Central Auditory Processing Testing It Includes Adult Hearing Test, Auditory Processing and Memory Testing, ABR and OAE Testing.  Results will be Posted within a week as there is significant work to collate and review all the results so the Audiologist can send a comprehensive Report detailing findings and suggested treatment or management options if required.  

Auditory Processing Testing looks at how the brain is interpreting sounds from the ears.  Children with APD may have trouble with direction of sound, learning and language, and following instructions.   

An Adult Diagnostic Hearing Test is performed prior to this testing to rule out any true or temporary hearing issues.  Then Audiologist will do a series of advanced listening tests where we look for weaknesses in specific areas.   Your child will listen to different sounds and repeat them in different listening conditions ie with background noise or reverberation present and need to repeat what they ear.  These results are then compared to average scores for children that age to see if there is a weakness in that area.   Bundaberg Hearing Aids and Tinnitus Treatment Clinic is the only one for many Km's that has both Auditory Brain Stem Response and Otoacoustic Emissions to rule out additional pathologies like Auditory Neuropathy which may mirror the symptoms of Auditory Processing weakness.  These tests are not routinely used despite giving extra information as they are expensive and add significant time to testing.  The ABR uses painless electrodes to your child's ears and head to measure how their brain reacts to sound.  While OAE's are a small painless measurement with another machine in the ears to measure sounds generated by the outer hair cells.  As the results take some time to collate and compare a comprehensive report will be sent out with any findings and future recommendations.  There is evidence that some forms of APD can be treated so it needn't impact their future with some early interventions.

Different Treatments are beneficial depending on the weakness found.  Some examples are:

Computer Based Programs to assist with the areas they aren't as strong in Ie Fast ForWord.  These generally are simple games which improve the areas - they can be bought and administered at home, or you can pay an Audiologist to administer if you feel that your child respond better

Classroom support and environmental modifications:  Such as electronic devices, like an FM (frequency modulation) system, can help your child hear the teacher more clearly and bypass some of the processing issues.   teachers can suggest ways to help them focus their attention, like sitting toward the front of the class and limiting background noise and putting acoustic paneling or soft surfaces on walls to reduce reverberation.

Working with a Psychologist or Counseller similar to computer-based training can Make other skills stronger: This is particularly useful if memory or attention issues are found.   

Speech therapy can help your child recognize sounds and improve conversational skills. And reading support that focuses on specific areas where your child has trouble can be helpful as well.

Unfortunately, this test cannot be bulk billed but would attract a Medicare rebate with GP referral.