Auditory Processing Testing by qualified Audiologist

Auditory Processing Testing ages 7 and older, looks at how the brain is interpreting sounds from the auditory systemwhich can affect a person's ability to understand, process and follow spoken language.   Children with APD may have trouble with localisation (direction of sounds), learning and language difficulties,  difficulty hearing in noise, behavioural issues, or difficulty following multiple instructions or staying on task, for example.   

It is found more frequently if there has been middle ear infections IE GLUE EAR, as this fluctuating hearing is beleived to lead to Auditory Deprivation with the brain not receiving adeqate stimulation during childhood development.

Sometimes referred to as Central Auditory Processing Testing  the battery we use is The Listening in Spatialized Noise  (LiSN-S), AudiCloze Test, DigiSpan Test, and the Dichotic Digits difference Test (DDdT). These tests performed by our Clinical Audiologist will look for weaknesses in specific areas, such as localising sound, memory and attention, hearing in noise ect.   Your child will listen to different words under headphones and repeat them in different listening conditions such as  in background noise or coming from different directions and need to repeat what they hear.  A comprehensive report  will be Emailed within a week, as the scores need to be compared to the norms for their age and recommendations considered for suggested treatment, and management, if required..

Diagnostic Testing to rule out Hearing Loss, Middle Ear or  Wax issues, and Auditory Neuropathy   including Audiogram, Word Recognition, Tympanometry, Otoacoustic Emissions, Auditory Brainstem Response and Otoscopy will be bulk billed with GP referral on a earlier day, to reduce the cost allowing the service to be done for $300 out of pocket.

The Hearing Test, Word recognition, Otoscopy and Tympanomety is performed  to rule out any permanent or temporary hearing or middle ear issues, which would invalidate the Auditroy Processing Battery.  Bundaberg Hearing Aids and Tinnitus Treatment Clinic is the only business in the local area, that has both Auditory Brain Stem Response and Otoacoustic Emissions to rule out additional pathologies like Auditory Neuropathy and Brain Lesions, which may mirror the symptoms of Auditory Processing and Hearing Loss.   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 examine the integrity of the hearing nerve.  While OAE's are a small painless measurement with another machine in the ears to measure sounds generated by the outer hair cells.    There is evidence that some forms of APD can be treated so it needn't impact their future with some early interventions and management strategies.

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

Computer Based Programs to remediate weaknesses such as Fast ForWord and LISN and Learn as some examples.  These are computer based exercises disquised as games - 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  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, or putting acoustic paneling or soft surfaces on walls to reduce reverberation.

Working with a Psychologist or Counseller similar to computer-based training, can work on specific areas of weakness.  This is particularly useful if memory or attention issues are found.   

Speech Pathology  can help your child recognize sounds and improve expressive and receptive language and conversational skills. 

We bulk bill *With GP referall)  all of the diagnostic testing to help reduce costs, with the out of pocket being $300 at the second appointment.