Gold Coast's Leading APD Specialists
Providing Auditory Processing Disorder Assessments & Treatment for Adults and Children
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a neurological condition that affects how the brain processes and interprets auditory information. People with APD have normal hearing ability—their ears work perfectly fine—but their brain has difficulty making sense of the sounds they hear.
Coastal Audiology provides comprehensive APD assessment and evidence-based treatment for children and adults on the Gold Coast, throughout Queensland and Northern NSW.
Our specialist audiologists use advanced diagnostic testing to identify auditory processing difficulties and develop personalised management strategies.
How is Auditory Processing Disorder Assessed?
Diagnosing APD requires a comprehensive assessment by an experienced audiologist.
Hearing Assessment
A complete hearing evaluation is performed to ensure peripheral hearing is normal. This includes pure-tone audiometry, speech testing, and middle ear assessment (tympanometry). People with APD often pass this without any difficulties. We also perform extended high frequency audiometry to check for hidden hearing loss and whether sound sensitivities may be contributing to your auditory processing difficulties.
Specialised APD Testing
Our comprehensive APD assessment includes multiple tests examining different aspects of auditory processing: At Coastal Audiology we examine temporal processing, auditory discrimination, speech perception-in-noise, auditory closure, auditory integration and separation, and spatial processing. These are performed through age-appropriate tasks, with little ones we utilise pictures and app-based game.
Results & Diagnosis
Your audiologist analyses all test results to determine if an APD diagnosis is appropriate. They will identify specific areas of auditory processing weakness and discuss how these affect daily functioning.
Management Plan
You'll receive a detailed written report with findings, diagnosis, and personalised recommendations. The audiologist will organise a phone call to create an individualised management plan addressing specific auditory processing deficit.
How Do We Treat Auditory Processing Disorder
While there is no “cure” for APD, evidence-based interventions can significantly improve auditory processing abilities. Treating APD involves a combination of strategies to improve how the brain processes sound. There is no one-size fits-all solution, the treatment should be personalised to an individual’s specific challenges, needs and assessment outcomes.
Assisted Listening Devices
Assisted Listening Devices improve speech clarity by reducing background noise and the impact of distance and reverberation.
Remote Microphone Technology: Teacher/speaker wears a microphone that transmits directly to the student’s receiver, reducing background noise impact.
Low-Gain Hearing Aids: Unlike traditional hearing aids for hearing loss, these amplify sounds slightly and are often used to boost speech frequencies while reducing background noise.
Auditory Therapy
Coastal Audiology offers a 14 week therapy block that has shown to improve auditory deficits.
1-1 therapy in clinic or through zoom.
App based training – personalised app-based training that can be completed at home
In home training
Compensatory Strategies
Coastal Audiology provides tailored strategies for school and home environments that are specific to the individual’s needs.