Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) Testing in Painesville & Concord Township
Comprehensive Evaluation and Treatment for Children, Teens, and Adults
At Sounds of Life Hearing Center, we believe hearing should feel effortless. If you or your child has "normal" hearing but still struggles to understand in noisy spaces, follow conversations, or keep up in school or work, the issue may not be with the ears, but with how the brain is processing sound.
- Led by Dr. Sarah Curtis, national APD expert
- Most thorough APD evaluations in the country
- Evidence-based treatment programs
- Whole-person, collaborative care approach
What Is APD? Understanding the Difference Between Hearing and Listening
Your ears collect sound, but your brain makes sense of it. APD occurs when the central auditory system—the part of the brain responsible for processing what we hear—doesn't interpret sound accurately. This can create significant challenges in daily life, even when basic hearing tests are normal.
Central vs. Peripheral Hearing
Peripheral Hearing
(ears, cochlea, auditory nerve): Detects sound volume and pitch.
Central Auditory Processing
(brainstem, thalamus, auditory cortex): Decodes speech, filters noise, identifies direction and timing of sound.
APD is not a problem with intelligence or motivation
It's a neurological issue that affects how auditory information is processed and used. For individuals living with APD, everyday listening tasks—like following directions, participating in conversations, or taking notes in class—can feel overwhelming.
How Central Auditory Processing Works
Hearing begins when sound waves travel through the air and are collected by the ear. These waves move through the outer ear canal and vibrate the eardrum. Those vibrations are transferred through three tiny bones in the middle ear and into the fluid-filled cochlea of the inner ear.
Cochlear nucleus
Superior olivary complex
Lateral lemniscus
Inferior colliculus
Medial geniculate body
Auditory cortex
The Central Auditory System
This system, called the central auditory nervous system, decodes what the sounds are, where they're coming from, and how to prioritize or filter them. It helps us focus on speech in noisy classrooms, enjoy music, detect sarcasm or emotion in someone's voice, and understand fast-paced or complex language.
From the brainstem up, the auditory system becomes binaural—integrating information from both ears. This binaural input allows for accurate localization of sound, helps us separate speech from background noise, and supports understanding of rapid or degraded speech. It's also influenced by attention, memory, emotion, and experience.
What Causes APD?
APD can result from a variety of causes, and frequently coexists with conditions like ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, dyslexia, and autism spectrum disorder.
Frequent Childhood Ear Infections
Brain Injuries or Neurological Conditions
Birth Complications and Developmental Delays
Genetics and Family History
Noise Exposure and Environmental Factors
Inflammatory and Autoimmune Disorders
Because symptoms can overlap with other disorders, a comprehensive evaluation is critical for making sense of challenges and designing an appropriate support plan.
Recognizing the Signs of APD
APD can manifest differently depending on age, developmental stage, and co-occurring conditions. That's why every evaluation at Sounds of Life is personalized to each patient's background, concerns, and strengths.
Younger Children
(ages 5–9)
- Difficulty following directions, especially in a noisy setting
- Mishearing or misunderstanding words
- Delayed speech or language development
- Challenges with phonics and early reading
- Behavioral concerns or appearing inattentive
Adolescents & Teens
(middle & high school)
- Struggles with group conversations or fast-paced instructions
- Frequent requests for repetition
- Frustration with school performance despite effort
- Difficulty with foreign language acquisition
- Listening fatigue or zoning out in class
Adults
(workplace & relationships)
- Trouble following conversations in meetings or restaurants
- Miscommunication in relationships or at work
- Difficulty multitasking with auditory information
- Mental exhaustion from listening tasks
- Overlap with symptoms of anxiety or ADHD
Why Evaluation Matters
A comprehensive APD evaluation provides clarity. Whether it confirms a diagnosis or helps rule out APD in favor of other explanations, it gives direction for next steps. Many people seek us out after years of frustration, looking for answers to why listening and learning feel harder than they should.
We've helped patients:
Identify APD and create effective treatment plans
We've helped patients:
Secure classroom or workplace accommodations
We've helped patients:
Rule out APD and connect with other professionals
We've helped patients:
Understand and advocate for needs with confidence
Our Approach
Our evaluations go far beyond basic screening. We use validated tools, expert interpretation, and a warm, educational approach to guide patients and families toward solutions.
How We Help with APD
1. Direct Interventions
(Clinic or Home-Based)
- • Buffalo Model Auditory Training: Exercises designed to build auditory memory, sequencing, and discrimination skills
- • CAPDOTS, Acoustic Pioneer, SoundStorm: Research-supported, gamified programs for strengthening specific auditory pathways
- • Auditory Memory and Listening Therapy: One-on-one or home-based training focused on individual weaknesses
2. Technology-Based Support
- • Low-Gain Hearing Aids: Amplify only soft sounds and specific frequencies to reduce listening effort without overamplifying
- • Remote Microphone Systems: Wireless microphones used in classrooms, meetings, or at home to reduce background noise
3. Environmental & Educational Modifications
- • Preferential seating, visual supports, repetition, and rephrasing
- • Accommodations for testing, homework, and classroom instruction
- • Parent and teacher education to improve communication
- • Guidance on school-based services like IEPs or 504 plans
4. Collaboration with Other Specialists
- • Speech-language pathologists
- • Educational psychologists
- • Occupational therapists
- • Reading specialists
- • Mental health providers
- • ENT or medical professionals
Everyday Tips for Managing APD
APD is manageable—and with the right tools and team, individuals can succeed in school, work, and relationships.
What to Expect from an APD Evaluation
Before Your Visit
- Ensure a hearing test is completed within the past 6 months (if not, we can help schedule this)
- Hearing testing may be scheduled on a separate day to avoid fatigue
- Complete intake forms and submit relevant documents, including IEPs, psychoeducational testing, and prior evaluations
During the Appointment
(2 Hours)
- History review and interactive auditory testing
- Feather Squadron testing may be used as part of the evaluation when clinically indicated (adds $25 fee)
- Same-day feedback and initial impressions
After Your Appointment
- A detailed written report and individualized plan within 7–10 days
- Follow-up consultations to review findings and coordinate care
Auditory Processing Evaluation Fees
Total Fees
$100 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit required to secure appointment
After deposit: $360 due at appointment
Feather Squadron Add-on: $25 (if used)
Insurance
- Objective testing billed to insurance if in-network
- Co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-network fees due at visit
What Our Patients Say
"My daughter had an auditory processing test done there today which took about 2 hours. Staff was very friendly and attentive! Daughter enjoyed her testing and asked to come back here if she needs more!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about APD evaluations at our Painesville clinic.
Hearing involves the ears detecting sound, while auditory processing is how the brain interprets and makes sense of those sounds. You can have normal hearing but still struggle with auditory processing.
APD evaluation is typically recommended for children age 7 and older, as the central auditory system continues developing until around age 12-15. However, we also evaluate teens and adults.
The comprehensive evaluation takes approximately 2 hours. We provide same-day feedback and initial impressions, with a detailed written report within 7-10 days.
Objective testing is billed to insurance if we're in-network. The counseling and consultation fee is typically not covered. Co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-network fees are due at the time of visit.
This is exactly what APD evaluation addresses. Many people with APD have normal peripheral hearing but struggle with how their brain processes auditory information, especially in noisy or complex environments.
Why Choose Sounds of Life Hearing Center?
Nationally recognized APD expert Dr. Sarah Curtis
Comprehensive evaluations and evidence-based treatments
Whole-person, collaborative care approach
Individualized support and guidance
Trusted by providers and families across Northeast Ohio
We understand that APD is complex—and that navigating it can be frustrating. At Sounds of Life, you'll never be rushed or dismissed. You'll be heard, informed, and supported by a team that truly understands auditory processing.
Who Can Refer to Us?
Anyone concerned about listening difficulties can initiate an evaluation:
We welcome referrals and coordinate care with all members of the treatment team.
Start Your Journey to Better Understanding
We're here to help you or your loved one reconnect with the sounds of life.
Visit soundsoflifehc.com/schedule to book your evaluation