[Auditory processing and perception disorders: proposed treatment and management: guidelines of the German Society for Phoniatry and Pedaudiology]

[Auditory processing and perception disorders (APPD): summary and updated overview]

The APD guideline of 2009 was supplemented by the statements listed here. The addition is based on current knowledge and findings. Otherwise, the Guideline 2009 remains valid. Here, a summary of the updated APD guideline is given, thus proving an overview of the definition of APD, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and recommended for APD management.

[Symptoms and diagnosis of auditory processing disorder]

The definition of an auditory processing disorder (APD) is based on impairments of auditory functions. APDs are disturbances in processes central to hearing that cannot be explained by comorbidities such as attention deficit or language comprehension disorders. Symptoms include difficulties in differentiation and identification of changes in time, structure, frequency and intensity of sounds; problems with sound localization and lateralization, as well as poor speech comprehension in adverse listening environments and dichotic situations. According to the German definition of APD (as opposed to central auditory processing disorder, CAPD), peripheral hearing loss or cognitive impairment also exclude APD. The diagnostic methodology comprises auditory function tests and the required diagnosis of exclusion. APD is diagnosed if a patient's performance is two standard deviations below the normal mean in at least two areas of auditory processing. The treatment approach for an APD depends on the patient's particular deficits. Training, compensatory strategies and improvement of the listening conditions can all be effective.