Auditory processing disorder (APD) affects the brain in processing or interpreting sounds. APD is not a type of hearing or learning disorder.
A person’s brain with APD doesn’t process sounds in the usual way. People with APD have trouble making sense of sounds or recognizing subtle differences in sounds. They don’t have a problem with understanding the meaning. However, they might misinterpret someone who’s talking to them.
Anyone can have APD. Early symptoms may be noticed during childhood, but some people develop it later. Children who suffer from APD are more likely to be boys rather than girls. Kids who have this disorder have trouble learning and might need extra help in school.
Some similar symptoms of APD may also be linked to other things. Medical experts often think that persons diagnosed with ADHD have APD also. Others think that it is part of the reason some people develop dyslexia.