The Argument for Music Education
Musical experience early in life imparts lifelong neuroplasticity. Read More
Hearing Research News from the Eisdell Moore Hearing and Balance Research Centre (EMC)
The EMC Summer Newsletter 2020 is full of news of the latest EMC research grants and hearing research activities throughout Aotearoa. Read More
An overview of CAPD and its diagnosis and treatment
In this two part interview Dr Gail Chermak provides an excellent overview of current research-based understanding of (C)APD and its diagnosis and treatment. Read More
A randomized control trial of interventions in school-aged children with auditory processing disorders
Auditory training, language and phonological therapies, and remote microphone hearing aid systems are beneficial for children with APD. Read More
Evidence of benefits following ARIA auditory training for children and adolescents diagnosed with amblyaudia
The purpose of this study (which included participants from SoundSkills APD Clinic) was to demonstrate the efficacy of Auditory Rehabilitation for Interaural Asymmetry (ARIA) to improve dichotic listening scores in children and adolescents diagnosed with amblyaudia and other binaural integration deficits. Read More
Assistive and therapeutic effects of remote microphone hearing aid systems for children with auditory processing disorders
One of the most exciting research findings in the treatment of auditory processing disorder (APD) is the neuroplastic benefit of amplification. It is now well established that, over time, amplification with remote microphone hearing aid systems results in improvements in hearing skills of children with APD due to beneficial neuroplastic changes in the brain. Read More
Remote microphone hearing aid systems assist children with autism spectrum disorder
This article is one among a growing body of research showing the benefits of auditory training and remote microphone hearing aid systems for children and adolescents with ASD. Read More
Children diagnosed with auditory processing disorder and their parents: a qualitative study about perceptions of living with APD
The aim of this study by Sarah Lawton, speech-language therapist at SoundSkills APD Clinic, was to explore the emotional and psychological consequences of living with APD as perceived by children with the disorder and their parents. Read More
A European perspective on auditory processing disorder – current knowledge and future research focus
This consensus statement on auditory processing disorder (APD) by experts on APD from 17 European countries was led by Professors Vivian Iliadou (Greece) and Doris Eva-Bamiou (UK). Read More
Remote microphone hearing aid systems drive beneficial neuroplastic change in the auditory systems of children with dyslexia and associated auditory processing weaknesses
This study provides strong evidence of beneficial neuroplastic change, measured through improvements in the electrophysiological responses of the brain to speech sounds, in children with auditory processing deficits, as a result of use of mild amplification with remote microphone hearing aid systems. Read More
“Hidden hearing loss” is more likely due to APD than cochlear synaptopathy
Hearing loss due to abnormality of neural connections between the inner ear (cochlea) and, or in, the auditory nerve has been dubbed “hidden hearing loss” and is the subject of considerable recent research. Like APD, it is not detected by basic hearing tests. However APD is a far more prevalent condition than cochlear synaptopathy. Read More
Terminology for Auditory Processing Deficits and Difficulties
Disability terminology: Are we listening? Read More
Impairment of speaking rate perception in children with dyslexia
This study identifies a new type of temporal perception deficit in children with dyslexia; speaking rate perception. Read More
Auditory Training Effects on the Listening Skills of Children with Auditory Processing Disorder
Broad speech-based auditory training leads to improvement in functional hearing in children with APD. Read More
Are Specific Language Impairment and APD distinguishable?
Specific language impairment (SLI) and APD appear intertwined, with the suggestion that differential diagnosis may be influenced by whether a child is assessed by an audiologist or speech-language therapist. Multi-disciplinary assessment (as occurs at SoundSkills) is advisable. Read More
Evidence of differences in electrophysiological recordings from the brain to sound in children with APD
Electrophysiological recordings of responses to sound in children with APD show differences at brainstem and cortical levels of the brain. Read More
Reducing Listening-Related Stress in School-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The use of remote microphone hearing aid systems reduced listening stress as measured by salivary cortisol and provided a range of benefits for children with ASD. Read More
Remote microphone hearing aid systems assist hearing in some adult stroke patients
10-week use of remote microphone hearing aid systems by adult patients with stroke may lead to benefits in unaided speech in noise perception. The findings may indicate auditory plasticity type changes and require further investigation. Read More
Assistive and Therapeutic Effects of Amplification for Auditory Processing Disorder
Studies of the effects of amplification with remote microphone hearing aid systems for children with auditory processing disorder or dyslexia consistently show therapeutic as well as assistive benefits from the amplification. Read More
Benefits of prosody perception training and use of remote microphone hearing aid systems for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The PhD thesis research of Dr Joan Leung, Adviser: ASD at SoundSkills APD Clinic, showed that children with ASD can improve their communication skills through training to better appreciate prosody, the subtle changes in speech intonation and stress that denote emotion. Use of remote microphone hearing aid systems assisted the prosody perception training and were beneficial to the children in school. Read More
Children with suspected auditory processing disorder show reduced amplitude acoustic reflex growth functions
Measurement of acoustic reflexes is an objective (physiological) test as distinct from behavioural tests used for diagnosing APD. Reduced amplitude acoustic reflex functions in children suspected of having APD provide objective evidence of atypical function in the central auditory nervous system in these children. Read More
Research evidence of the benefit of a software training programme in game format to improve the hearing in noise ability of children with spatial processing disorder, a type of APD
Colleagues at the National Acoustic Laboratories in Australia developed this evidence-based training game to improve ability to hear in noise. The game aspect of the software has since been revised to make it more appealing and it is now marketed as ‘Sound Storm’. Read More
Auditory Training for Central Auditory Processing Disorder
Principles of auditory training for APD. Read More