Walk with a Doc: Auditory Processing Disorder

[@theautisticpage]

I went to audiologist all my life. When I was a teen I told them I was tone Deaf. I always was told I could hear fine, even into my 50's. Not one audiologist or technician bothered to mention APD. If they had I would have discovered I was autistic as a teen. Audiologist are severely incompetent in this area. I often ask people to rephrase what they said. they can say it louder but my brain still does not interpret it properly. I will actually hear replacement words that were not said. The word that my brain gets wrong will still be perceived in their voice.

[@kpcordero06]

Omg exactly!

[@isabellevkd]

I found out I may have APD when I lived with a friend who works with special needs students, and she mentioned APD as a possible explanation for some of my issues. In February I was diagnosed with APD, ADHD, and a couple of other things 😅

[@spike84able]

I have CAPD and was diagnosed age 19. School was so hard growing up and I can't work in fast paced environment.

[@mariahconklin4150]

Yep! For me the worst was fast food and Disneyland. I haven't worked in about 2 months and when I asked a social worker for help she said I should get those ear things (my apd is working up so I forgot what they are called) and asked me if I was a lesbian. This is the kind of respect I get from so called "professionals." It's unbelievable.

[@spike84able]

Trying to have one on one with people in public places is hard for me. I am always picking up different pieces from other conversations.

[@USMARSHALL2011]

Thank you

[@lisaziems5550]

Thanks, a helpful overview!

[@InsidiousMindz]

I'm 43 and just noticed this in the last few years. I thought I was losing my hearing but I noticed in normal settings I can hear just fine unless there is an auditory distraction. If someone is watching a video on their phone in the same setting I can't focus on important information. I work in a loud environment and often require people to speak over equipment and distractions in order to understand what they're saying. I feel a hearing device would also amplify the distracting noise so I'm not sure even that would help. I'm not sure anything would help really.

[@WalkwithaDoc]

Thank you Dr. Justine!!!

[@luckyfish7582]

Does a person with APD have difficulty understanding music lyrics? Also do they have an especially hard time when listening to a person with an accent?

[@iolair1973]

From what I understand:yes, and yes.

[@Pizzacade]

I think it's different for everyone. I have APD and can understand even really heavy accents but song lyrics almost sound nothing like the track lol

[@mariahconklin4150]

Well it took me a while to understand what the musician YungBlud was saying but I eventually caught on by reading the lyrics. lol

[@saainz]

does a person with ADP have trouble differing the tone of people? for example, when i’m having a conversation with my sister but i’m not physically seeing her face, i often think she is mad at me bc of her tone

[@mariahconklin4150]

Yep my ex does that and he has ADHD. I have done that also.

[@marcellasimone1998]

I have adhd and a possible auditory processing disorder. However, there are no audiologists that test for this that take insurance. I am certain I have this and wish I had known a long time ago as I could have gotten supports to succeed.

[@mariahconklin4150]

I'm so glad others are struggling to because I'm not alone. I think I may have ADHD and autism because in the beginnning of a job I like it and do a lot so I burn out (my adhd) then with my autism (I want to be a hermit so I stay in doors). I haven't been wanting to work lately though people offer little to no help. I also think I have some sort of Dyslexia. My form of help from a social worker was, "Are you a lesbian?" "Dyslexia is an eye disorder" and "You can only work part time...no actually you can't work." This is why I no longer will reach out for help.

[@ILLRICARDO]

I feel I cannot process audio fast enough. By the time I hear the second sentence I forget the first sentence.