An auditory processing disorder, also known as APD, is a condition that makes it difficult to understand speech. The formal auditory processing disorder definition is a “difficulty in listening, despite possessing hearing thresholds within the normal limit.”1 In other words, APD makes it difficult to hear, not because there is physical damage to your ear, but because the part of your brain that processes sound (the auditory cortex) can’t make sense of the sounds your ear is hearing.2
The difference between APD and hearing loss is related to the part of the body that causes the inability to hear or process sounds. Hearing loss is usually caused by damage to part of the ear or simply the natural deterioration of nerve cells in the inner ear, while APD is a breakdown between your ear and the part of your brain that understands sounds1.
Auditory processing disorder symptoms can be challenging to recognize, as it may simply seem like someone is not paying attention. Understanding the symptoms of APD can help prevent mislabeling someone as inattentive when, in reality, they may be working extra hard to keep up. Common symptoms of APD include:
The three most common auditory processing disorder treatments are:
Several auditory processing disorder medical devices can help people better understand what is being said. These devices fall under the treatment category of environmental changes and can complement other therapies to help retrain the brain to better process sound.
Audiologists might recommend an FM system for auditory processing disorders. FM stands for “frequency modulation,” and it is a device that helps those with APD hear in noisy or crowded places.
An FM system has two parts: one is a microphone and a transmitter worn by the person speaking (such as a teacher in a classroom). The other is a receiver worn by the listener in their ear (a child in the same classroom).
The FM system works like a tiny radio station, broadcasting the sound directly from the speaker into the listener’s ear, eliminating background noise and helping them hear more clearly5.
Personal amplifiers and wireless devices are another option for people with APD. Personal amplifiers are small, portable devices (about the size of a cell phone) that boost sound levels and reduce background noise6. Unlike hearing aids, personal amplifiers amplify all sounds and may be better suited for those with milder symptoms2.
Hearing loop systems (also called induction loops) are another wireless device option. These systems transmit sound directly to a receiver—sometimes built into a hearing aid—so the listener hears a much clearer sound, such as announcements in an airport or theater, without distracting background noise7.
You might be wondering if there are hearing aids for auditory processing disorders. While they’re most commonly linked to treating hearing loss, research suggests mild sound amplification from hearing aids may also benefit individuals with APD by making speech easier to understand.
Low-gain hearing aids are often combined with remote microphones or personal amplifiers to provide a double dose of acute and ongoing support. An individual with APD can use the remote microphone or FM system in specific instances—say, in a classroom or during a meeting—to make listening and understanding easier. Additionally, the hearing aids provide consistent support throughout the day, offering mild sound amplification that makes speech easier to follow even when a remote microphone isn’t in use.
The best hearing aid for auditory processing disorders is a low-gain hearing aid, which enhances the clarity of sound, rather than the volume7.
Low-gain hearing aids (LGHAs) are not a specific type of hearing aid, but rather a way to fit the hearing aid. Instead of amplifying volume, LGHAs help focus and clarify sounds and are designed for people with little or no measurable hearing loss. Fitting low-gain hearing aids for auditory processing disorders can help improve the quality of the sound before it enters the auditory system8.
Advances in technology are reshaping how we approach support for APD. Auditory training software and apps now offer interactive exercises right on your smartphone that help sharpen skills like speech discrimination, listening in noisy environments and auditory memory9.
Additionally, hearing aids are becoming smarter: new models offer smartphone control and some models use AI-powered noise filtering to distinguish speech from background sounds and adjust gain automatically. Our Miracle-Ear BLISS™ hearing aid features an signal processor that makes 8 million adjustments per minute, adjusting sound volume and tuning out background noise to help you hear more clearly2.
Advancements with AI and brain stimulation technology offer new ways to address auditory processing impairments. AI-guided brain devices use gentle, noninvasive stimulation and smart algorithms to support both talking and listening at the same time, which helps conversations flow more naturally10.
The best first step is to speak with your primary care provider or audiologist. They can review your symptoms, test your hearing and help you choose the right device and treatment plan to manage your APD.
APD can affect everyday life—making it harder to listen, communicate and participate fully in school, work or social settings. It’s important to take this diagnosis seriously and seek APD support. Start by talking to your primary care physician. They may refer you to an online APD screening or to an audiologist to diagnose your situation further2.
Getting treatment matters. Effective communication is fundamental to human connection, social participation and quality of life.
**Miracle-Ear cannot diagnose Auditory Processing Disorder.
1Alanazi, Ahmad A. “Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder: A Narrative Review.” PubMed Central, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 6 Oct. 2023, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10634468/.
2Michalewski, Victoria , and Madeline Warner. “Auditory Processing Disorder – Subject Matter Expert Interview.” 3 Oct. 2025.
3“Central Auditory Processing Disorder.” American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/central-auditory-processing-disorder/. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
4Bellis, Teri James, and Ashley M. Anzalone. “Intervention approaches for individuals with (central) auditory processing disorder.” Contemporary Issues in Communication Science and Disorders, vol. 35, no. Fall, Oct. 2008, pp. 143–153, https://doi.org/10.1044/cicsd_35_f_143.
5“Hearing Assistive Technology.” American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, www.asha.org/public/hearing/hearing-assistive-technology/. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
6“Assistive Devices for People with Hearing, Voice, Speech, or Language Disorders.” National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dec. 2011, www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/assistive-devices-people-hearing-voice-speech-or-language-disorders.
7Davidson, Alyssa J, et al. “Examining the Use and Benefits of Low-/Mild-Gain Hearing Aids in Service Members with Normal Hearing Thresholds and Self-Reported Hearing Difficulties.” PubMed Central, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Mar. 2024, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10931166/.
8Kokx-Ryan, Melissa J. “Evaluation of Low-Gain Hearing Aids as Treatment for Auditory Processing Deficits in Service Members with Normal Hearing Thresholds and History of mTBI.” Graduate School of Gallaudet University , 2020. Pro-Quest, https://www.proquest.com/openview/c3f83a48e1b1ecce17c588dc4001d230/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
9Palmer, Laurel. “Gain Conversational Confidence with These Apps.” ENT & Audiology News, 3 Nov. 2023, www.entandaudiologynews.com/reviews/tech-reviews/post/gain-conversational-confidence-with-these-apps.
10Rudroff, Thorsten. “Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation and Artificial Intelligence in Communication Neuroprosthetics: A Bidirectional Approach for Speech and Hearing Impairments.” PubMed Central, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 25 Apr. 2025, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12110241/.
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