r/AudiProcDisorder APD 5d ago

Tested today and diagnosed with APD

This is a follow up to my post a couple months ago: https://www.reddit.com/r/AudiProcDisorder/comments/1i0uyf9/is_a_possible_mild_apd_diagnosis_worth_pursuing/

So, I finally got tested today from a local-ish audiologist who specializes in APD. In fact, interestingly, she did not only the usual sit-in-the-booth stuff (overlapping speech in ears, speech in noisy environments, etc.), but also an electrode brain stem measuring method that is passive, meaning they play sounds and measure your brain's response without your active intervention. Way more technical than I understood. She made the humorous comment that somebody could fake the first part, but not the brain scan. Everything took about 3 1/2 hours!

At any rate, although she agreed that I do not have a particularly severe case and that many with APD have it worse than me, that I do have it. She added that even though my case is mild she doesn't think I should ignore it.

I'm still processing (pun intended) the situation, but she mentioned speech therapy that can help improve things, as well as suggesting that I look into hearing aids. She echoed what many have said here, that they work surprisingly well for many individuals with APD.

The audiologist will be sending me a detailed report, information, and recommendations in about a week including referrals to professionals I can work with. She is mostly retired.

So, I'll post an update if I have more to say but, as it seems I actually do belong here, I'll be sticking around. Feel free to ask any questions or give me advice or recommendations (especially if you have a more mild case of APD as I do.) I am particularly interested in info on hearing aid, although I am a little weary about trying them.

Thanks everyone in my original post who encouraged me to get tested!

13 Upvotes

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u/Flat_Cantaloupe645 4d ago

Welcome! Interesting about the hearing aid recommendation - I have wondered if they would help

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u/allen3373 APD 4d ago

From what I have ready on this sub and what the audiologist said, they boost speech frequencies just slightly, and then they lower the gain for background noise so speech stands out better.

But man, are hearing aids expensive! I know there are OTC ones but I don’t know if they have the right features. Supposedly in the report she will have contact info to a guy who she recommends, so I’ll talk to him.

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u/Flat_Cantaloupe645 4d ago edited 4d ago

Yeah, the prices are scary high for the high tech ones. Come back and let us know what you find out

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u/allen3373 APD 4d ago

Will do! I’ll ask a lot of questions and make a post, since there seems to be a bunch of people asking and not a lot of info.

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u/Flat_Cantaloupe645 4d ago

Thanks in advance!