The Silent Struggle: Exploring the Impact of Auditory Processing Disorder on Mental Health 

We often take our ability to process and understand auditory information for granted. In individuals with normally functioning auditory systems, the brain efficiently processes sounds, allowing for seamless communication and learning. However, this whole process is disrupted for people who have an auditory processing disorder (APD). APD is not a typical hearing impairment because people with APD can usually hear soft tones of different pitches and pass a standard hearing test. The problem is not in the ear itself but in the transmission of auditory messages after they leave the ear and are sent to the brain. Problems with the efficiency, clarity, or timing of auditory signals reaching the brain make it hard to hear the difference in speech sounds that sound similar, keep up with the flow of speech, and hear in background noise. These difficulties affect the ability to learn and engage in social interactions. However, the impact on emotional well-being is an area that is often overlooked. This article highlights the frequently underestimated influence of APD on mental health, stressing the need for awareness to foster a supportive environment.

Often Unseen and Misunderstood
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is often overlooked because many educators, medical providers, and other professionals are unfamiliar with APD and the struggles individuals dealing with this hidden challenge face. People with APD frequently feel unseen, especially if they are assured that they have normal hearing after passing standard hearing tests. Without recognition and support from loved ones, those with APD may start to internalize their struggles as personal deficits or signs of unintelligence.

Academic Challenges
According to the National Institutes of Health, in children with learning difficulties, the prevalence of auditory processing disorder has been found to be 43%, but unfortunately, this often gets overlooked. In educational settings, teachers might mistake symptoms of APD for carelessness or signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when students struggle to concentrate or follow instructions due to difficulties processing information. People with APD may appear inattentive because of the extra mental strain it takes to understand speech and block out distracting sounds. They may become disengaged and lose interest in conversations because keeping up with the flow of speech takes so much mental energy.

When students with APD find it hard to grasp lectures, understand instructions, and engage in group conversations, it significantly impacts their learning process and acquisition of skills. These repeated setbacks in academics can lower their self-confidence, making them question their abilities and value. Feelings of inadequacy and insecurity can be reinforced when students feel they must rely on extensive studying and additional support from tutoring to keep up with their peers. If they still fall behind their peers despite their best efforts, it can lead to a downward spiral of depression and hopelessness.

Some students may achieve good grades due to extensive support from parents or tutors reteaching materials at home. However, this can become a problem if teachers are unaware of the extraordinary efforts they are putting forth to maintain their academic standing. School staff might question the need for support and classroom accommodations if they are making good grades. However, even gifted students with APD performing well in class may not reach their maximum academic potential. Constantly expending effort to comprehend spoken information can be mentally exhausting, and this can leave fewer cognitive resources for learning and actively participating in class discussions.

Rigorous after-school study schedules may cause the students to have to miss out on extracurricular and social activities. This may lead to feelings of jealousy, frustration, and self-criticism. The ongoing stress of trying to live up to expectations can exacerbate depressive symptoms and eventually cause burnout. Making adjustments in school environments like sitting near the teacher, reducing background noise, using speech-to-text apps and AI notetaking tools, and using hearing assistive technology can help students with auditory processing disorder (APD) succeed academically.

Social Challenges
Some types of auditory processing deficits can make it hard to interpret tone of voice cues to understand the intent of a message. If they struggle to pick up on subtle tonal cues, they may misinterpret sarcasm and emotions, tending to take everything literally. They may have trouble telling if someone is joking or get their feelings hurt easily because they have trouble distinguishing a firm tone of voice from an angry voice and mistakenly think that people are angry with them. This can be perceived as social awkwardness, making it harder to make friends and exacerbating feelings of loneliness. Some people who struggle to hold conversations may cope by avoiding social gatherings out of fear of humiliation or criticism. The difficulties caused by Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) can negatively impact individuals’ self-esteem.

Workplace Struggles
Difficulties in the workplace can affect job performance and career growth and add to job-related stress. Daily efforts to manage auditory processing challenges can be overwhelming. Because of the continuous sound input, this frequently results in anxiety, frustration, depression, and sensory overload. Seeking help from an audiologist who specializes in auditory processing is essential to improve listening skills and learn effective coping strategies.

Treatment for APD
The good news is that APD is treatable with auditory training, and some types of APD can be completely remediated. Using hearing assistive technology and learning effective compensatory strategies can also improve self-confidence. It is crucial to raise awareness and promote understanding of APD in order to create a supportive environment where individuals affected by it can thrive. With the appropriate support and resources, people with APD can enhance their listening abilities, develop useful coping mechanisms, and acquire the self-assurance needed to successfully manage their everyday lives.

Auditory Processing Center is a small private practice in Clinton, Mississippi, specializing in assessing and treating auditory processing disorders in children and adults ages 5 and up. Additionally, we offer APD evaluations by telehealth and APD teletherapy in the Southeastern region of the United States, along with online therapy services and programs through our patient portal serving people nationwide and internationally. We strongly believe all individuals with auditory processing deficits can improve their listening and communication skills. With our audiologist’s thirty years of expertise in auditory processing, families from across the country and around the world trust our services due to our exceptional reputation and expertise.