A Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) exists when a child has apparent difficulty in processing auditory information while possessing normal hearing. CAPD has been implicated by some as the root disorder underlying learning disabilities, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and Specific Language Impairment. Despite years of research there is little consensus on a definition, criteria for assessment and diagnosis, and the efficacy of remediation and management. This comprehensive review of the CAPD literature examines the prevalence and etiology, assessment methods, differential diagnosis, as wVell as methods of management and remediation. Particular attention is paid to the details of research design and psychometrics. Support for the distinct existence of CAPD would be aided by the development of a modality-specific operational definition, assessment tools that were better standardized and normed, and the use of better control conditions in research.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical mcanual qf mental disorders (4t ed., text revision). Washington, DC: Author.
2.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (1996). Central auditory processing: Current status of research and implications for clinical practice. Task force on. central auditomy processing consensus development. American Journal oqfAudiology, 5, 41-54.
3.
Baddeley, A. D. (1981). The concept of working memory:. A view of its current state and probable future development. Cognition, lo, 17-23.
4.
Baddeley, A. D., & Hitch, G. (1993). The recency effect: Implicit learning Vith explicit retrieval?Memory and Cognition. 2(2), 146-155.
5.
Baran, J.A., & Musiek, F. E. (1991). Behavioural assessment of the central auditory nervous system. In W. Rintelmann (Ed.), Hearing assessment (2nd ed., pp. 549 – 602). Austin, TX: PRO-ED.
6.
Barkley, R. A. (1996). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In E.J. Mash & R. A. Barkley (Eds.), Child psychopathology. New York: Guildford Press.
7.
Bellis, T. J. (1996). Assessment and measurement of central auditory processing disorders in the educational setting: Fromi science to practice. San Diego, CA: Singular Publishing Group.
8.
Bellis, T. J. (1999). Auditoiy processing disorders in children. Journal of the American Academrly ofAudiology, 10, 287-288.
9.
Bellis, T.J., & Ferre, J. M. (1999). Multidimensional approach to the differential diagnosis of central auditory processing disorders in children. Journal of the American Academy ofAudiology, 10, 319-332.
10.
Bench, J., & Maule, R. (1997). The use of internal speech by children with auditory processing problems. Audiology, 36, 312-324.
11.
Berlin, C., Lowe-Bell, S. S., Jannetta, P. J., & Kline, D. G. (1972). Central auditory deficits after temporal lobectomy. Archives Lxf Otolaryngology, 96, 4-10.
12.
Bishop, D., & Rosenbloom, L. (1987). Childhood language disorders: Classification and ovenriew. In W. Yule & M. Rutter (Eds.), Language development and disorders: Clinics in developmental medicine, Nos 101/102. London: MacKeith Press.
13.
Burd, L., & Fisher, W. (1986). Central auditory processing disorder or attention deficit disorder?Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 7, 215-216.
14.
Cacace, A.T., & McFarland, D.J. (1998). Central auditory processing in schoolagedchildren: A critical review. Journal qf Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 41, 355-373.
15.
Chermak, G. D., & Musiek, F.E. (1997). Central auditory processing disorders: New perspectives. San Diego, CA: Singular Publishing Group.
16.
Cook, J.R., Mausbach, T., Burd, I., Gascon, G.G., Slotnick, H. B., Patterson, B., Johnson, R. D., Hankey, B., & Reynolds, B. V. (1993). A preliminary study of the relationship between central auditory processing disorder and attention deficit disorder. Journal of Psychiatry Neuroscience, 18130-137.
17.
Dagenais, P.A., Cox, M., Southwood, H., & Smith, S.C. (1997). Vocal reaction times of children with CAPD, age-matched peers, and young adults to printed words. Journal of Speech, Language, and f-earing Research, 40, 694-703.
18.
Dietrich, K. N., Succop, P.A., Berger, O. G., & Keith, R. V. (1992). Lead exposure and central auditory processing abilities and cognitive development of urban children: The Cincinnati lead cohort at age D years. Aeurotoxicology and Teratology, 14, 51-56.
19.
Eden, G. F., & Moats, L. (2002). The role of neuroscience in the remediation of students with dyslexia. Nature Neuroscience Supplement, 5, 1000-1084.
20.
Elman, J. L., Bates, E., Johnson. M., Karmiloff-Smith, A., Parisi, D., & Plunkett, K. (1996). Rethinking innateness: A connectionist perspective Onl development. Cambridge, MIA: MIT Press.
21.
Emerson, M. F., Crandall, K. K., Seikel, J.A., & Chermak, G. D. (1997). Observations on the use of SCAN to identify children at risk for central auditory processing disorder. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 28, 43-49.
22.
Friel-Patti, S. (1999). Clinical decision-making in the assessment and intervention of central auditory processing disorders. Language, Speech, and hearing Services in theSchools, 30, 345-352.
23.
Gardner, M. F. (1985). Test of auditory perceptual skills. Burlingame, CA: Psychological and Educational Publications.
24.
Gascon, G. G., Johnson, R., & Burd, L. (1986). Central auditory processing and attention deficit disorders. Journal of Child Neurology, 1, 27-33.
25.
Ghermak, G.D., Hall, J.W., & Musiek, F.E. (1999). Differential diagnosis and management of central auditory processing disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of the American Acaderny of Audiology, 10, 289-309.
26.
Gordon, N., & Ward, S. (1995). Abnormal response to sound and central auditory processing. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 37, 645-652.
27.
Jerome, L. (2000). Central auditory processing disorder and ADHD. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 39, 399-400.
28.
Katz, J. (1968). The SSW test: An interim report. Journal of Speech HIearing Disorders, 33, 132-146.
29.
Katz, J. (1992). Classification of auditoiy processing disorders. In J. Katz, N.A. Stecker, & D. Henderson (Eds.), Central auditory processing: A transdisiplinary view (pp. 3-8). St. Louis: Mosby Yearbook.
30.
Keith, R. (1986). SCAN: A screening test for auditory processing disorders. SanAntonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.
31.
Keith, R. (1994a). SCAN-A:A testfor auditory processing disorders in adolescents and adults. San Antonio, TX:The Psychological Corporation.
32.
Keith, R. (1994b). ACPT: Auditory continuous pefformance test. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.
33.
Keith, R. (1998). Comments on “Te Use of S(CAN to Identify Children at Risk for CAPD” by Emerson et al. (1997). Language, Speech, and hearing Services in Schools, 29, 117-119.
34.
Keith, R. (1999). Clinical issues in central auditory processing disorders. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 30, 339-344.
35.
Keller, W. (1992). Auditory processing disorder or attention deficit disorder? In J. Katz, N. Stecker, & D. Henderson (Eds.), Central auditory processing: A transdisciplinary view (pp. 107-114). St. Louis: Mosby.
36.
Keller, W. (1998). The relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, central auditory processing disorders, and specific learning disorders. In G. Masters,N. Stecker, &J. Katz (Eds.), Centralauditoity7processing disorders: Mostly management (pp. 33-48). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
37.
Lasky, E.Z., & Katz, J. (Eds.). (1983). Centrol auditory processing disorders: Problems of speech, language and learning. Baltinora, MD: University Park Press.
38.
Lindamood, C., & Lindamood, P. (1971). The Lindarnood Auditory Test of Conceptualization. Boston: Teaching Resources Corporation.
39.
Leonard, L. (1998). Auditory processing and speech perception. In Children with specific language impairment (pp. 133-145). Cambridge: MIT press.
40.
Lovett, M. W., & Barron, R. W. (in press). Developmental reading disorders. In T.E. Feinburg & M.J. Farah (Eds.), Behavioural neurology and neuropsychol-Ogy (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
41.
Martin, F.N., Champlin, C.A., & Chambers, J.A. (1998). Seventh survey of audiometric practices in the United States. Journal of the American Academy qfAudiology,9,95-104.
42.
Massaro, D. W. (1987). Speech perception by ear and eye. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbauni.
43.
McCartney,J. S., Fried, P.A., &Watkinsoi, B. (1994). Central auditoryprocessingin school-aged children prenatally exposed to cigarette smoke. PNTeurotoxicoloogy and Teratology, 16, 269-276.
44.
McFarland, D. J., & Cacace, A. T. (1997). Modality specificity of auditomy and visual pattern recognition: Implication for the assessment of central auditory processing disorders. Audiology, 36, 249-260.
45.
Merzenich, M. M., Jenkins, WV. M., Johnston, P., Schreiner, C., Miller, S. L., & Tallal, P. (1996). Temporal processing deficits of language-learning impaired children ameliorated by training. Science, 271, 77-80.
46.
Miller, G.A., &Gildea, P.M. (1987). How children learn words. ScientificAmerican,257, 94-99.
47.
Mody, M., Studdert-Kennedy, M., & Brady, S. (1997). Speech perception deficits in poor readers: Auditory processing or phonological coding?fJournal of Experimental Child Psychology, 64, 199-231.
48.
Musiek, F. E. (1983). Assessment of central auditory dysfunction: The Dichotic Digits Test revisited. Ear and Ihearing, 4, 79-83.
49.
Musiek, F. E. (1999). Habilitation and management of auditory processing disorders: Overview of selected procedures. Journal of the American Academy ofAudiology,10, 329-345.
50.
Musiek, F. E., & Berge, B. (1998). A neuroscience view of auditory training/ stimulation and central auditory processing disorders. In M. Masters, N. Stecker, & J. Katz (Eds.), Central auditory processing disorders: AMostly management (pp. 15-32). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
51.
Musiek, F. E., Gollegly, K. M., Lamb, L.E., & Lamb, P. (1990). Selected issues in screening for central auditory processing dysfntction. Seminars in IHearing, 11, 372-384.
52.
Paulesu, E., Demonet, J. F., Fazio, F., McCrory, E., Chanoine, V., Brunswick, et al., (2001). Dyslexia: Cultural diversity and biological unity. Science, 291(5511), 2165-2167.
53.
Peck, D. H., Gressard, R. P., & Hellerman, S. P. (1991). Central auditory processing in the school-aged child: Is it clinically relevant?Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 12, 324-326.
54.
Pinheiro, M. L., & Musiek, F. E. (1985). Sequencing and temporal ordering in the auditory system. In M. L. Pinheiro & F. E. Musiek (Eds.), Assessment qf central auditory dysfiinction: Foundations and clinical correlates (pp. 219-238). Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins.
55.
Pinheiro, M. L., & Ptacek, P. H. (1971). Reversals in the perception of noise and tone patterns. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 49, 1778-1782.
56.
Rees, N. S. (1973). Auditory processing factors in language disorders: lThe view from Procrustes' bed. Journal of Speech and Iearing Disorders, 38, 304-315.
57.
Reisberg, D. (1997). Cognition: Exploring the science of the mind. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
58.
Reynolds, V. M. (1987). Auditory Discrimination Test (2nd ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.
59.
Riccio, C.A., Hynd, G.W., Cohen, M.J., Hall, J., & Molt, L. (1994). Comorbidity of central auditory processing disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of the American Academy (f Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 33, 849-857.
60.
Rintelmaln, W. F. (1985). Monaural speech tests in the detection of central auditory disorders. In M. L. Pinheiro & F. E. Musiek (Eds.), Assessment of central auditory dysfitnction: Foundations and clinical correlates (pp. 173-200). Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins.
61.
Silman, S., Silverman, C.A., & Emmer, M. B. (2000). Central auditory, processing disorders and reduced motivation: Three case studies. Journal of the American Academy ofAudiology, 11, 57-63.
62.
Spelke, E. S., & Newport, E. L. (1998). Nativism, empiricism, and the development of knowledge. In R. Lerner (Ed.), & WV. Damon (Vol. Ed.), Handbook of child psychology: Vol. i. Theoretical models of human development (pp. 993-1028). New York: Wiley.
63.
Stein, J. (2001). The sensory basis of reading problems. Developmental NATeuropsychology, 20, 509-534.
64.
Tallal, P., Merzenich, M. M., Miller, S., & Jenkins, W. (1998). Language learning impairments: Integrating basic science, technology, and remediation. Experime ntal Brain Research. 123, 210-219.
65.
Tallal, P., Miller, S. L., Bedi, G., Byma, G., Wang, X., Nagarajan, S.S., Schriener, C., Jenkins, W. M., & Merzenich, M. M. (1996) Language comprelhension in language-learning impaired children improved with acoustically modified speech. Science, 271, 81-84.
66.
Tillery, K. L., Katz, J., & Keller, WV. D. (2000). Effects of methylphenidate (Ritalin) on auditory performance in children with attention and auditory processing disorders. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 43, 893-901.
67.
Waldman, I. D., & Lilienfeld, S. O. (1995). Diagnosis and classification. In M. Hersen, & R.T. Anmerman (Eds.), Advanced abnormal childpsychology. (pp. 21-36). New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
68.
Willows, D. M. (1991). Visual processes in learning disabilities. In B.Y. L. Wong (Ed.), Learning about learning disabilities. (pp. 163-193). New York: Academic Press.
69.
Woodcock, R. (1976). Goldman-Fristoe-Woodecock Auditory Skills Test PBattery: Technical manual. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.
