People with CAPD often have significant difficulties understanding speech because the message from their ears becomes disrupted and distorted as it travels along the neural pathways to the brain for interpretation. They often feel as if they hear but have trouble understanding or remembering what is said, may have difficulty differentiating similar-sounding speech sounds and can have difficulty listening and hearing in noisy environments. Often people with CAPD can be easily distractible, may become frustrated and experience listening fatigue because it takes them longer than normal to process what is said.
At Hearelief we undertake a comprehensive range of hearing tests to identify problems in each of the different mechanisms that comprise auditory processing, and provide a detailed analysis of the results. We also provide monitored listening programs involving auditory training for areas of specific deficit, compensatory strategies, the use of remote microphones and assistive listening technology combined with literacy and language assistance to help build and strengthen auditory processing skills.
At the moment there are two principal assistive technology options for individuals with CAPD and both can be trialled. People with CAPD may benefit from the use of either remote microphone systems such as Roger technology and low-gain hearing aids in combination with a remote microphone.
Assistive listening technology assists people with CAPD by helping to overcome some of the neural dyssychronicity that disrupts the sound/message physically detected by the ear and causes it to be disordered and distorted. They help to make speech clearer by bringing the speaker’s voice closer and ensuring that soft consonant sounds are heard more clearly and background noise is reduced.
At Hearelief we believe that assistive listening technology works most effectively when it is combined with appropriate auditory training exercises, compensatory strategies and language and literacy support (when indicated).