Auditory Processing: Diagnostic Services and Speech & Language Therapy Services
An Auditory Processing Disorder is defined as the inability or impaired ability to: discriminate, recognize, remember or comprehend information presented auditorily even though the person has normal intelligence and hearing sensitivity. (Keith, 1986) In other words -- speech can be heard, but there is a problem processing or understanding what is being said. This is particularly true when language is complex, spoken rapidly or when there are distractions such as background noise in the child’s listening environment.
Who is at risk?
Children with language disorders, learning disabilities, reading disorders, attention deficit disorders and a history of recurrent ear infections.
What are the characteristics of a child with auditory processing difficulties?
- Confuses similar sounding words
- Difficulty listening in the presence of background noise
- Problems remembering instructions or following directions
- Frequently asking for repetition of information
- Easily distracted
- Academic performance below expected levels at school
- Slow or delayed responses to verbal requests
- Exhibits poor reading and spelling skills
Early Identification
Because Auditory Processing Disorders can interfere with language development and learning (particularly in the areas of reading and spelling), early identification is important to ensure academic success.
For schools offering students personal FM technology, the following pre- and post-evaluation appraisal forms are available:
Diagnostic Services
Evaluations
The Pediatric Audiology Department at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital offers comprehensive evaluations of Auditory Processing Disorders for children ages seven and above. Our professional staff of audiologists is licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and certified by the American Speech/Language and Hearing Association.
For more information about Audiology services or to schedule an appointment, please contact the Audiology Department at : 781-348-2209 or TDD: 781-843-9021.
Locations
Speech & Language Therapy Services
A speech-language pathologist can find out how well your child understands and uses language. Because the audiologist can help with the functional problems of hearing and processing, and the speech-language pathologist is focused on language, they may work as a team with your child.
Our speech and language therapists will perform a comprehensive evaluation once they have been diagnosed by a specially trained Audiologist. We will review the Audiology evaluation and based on the results of our evaluation we will treat those specific areas of concern.
Locations
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