Auditory Processing Assessments

What is an Auditory Processing Assessment?

Auditory processing refers to how the brain interprets and makes sense of the sounds we hear. Some children and teenagers have normal hearing but experience difficulty processing auditory information, particularly when listening conditions become more challenging.

This may present as difficulty following verbal instructions, frequently mishearing information, difficulty understanding speech in background noise, or becoming tired or disengaged in the classroom. Some children may also have difficulty processing the timing, rhythm or patterns within speech and other sounds.

An auditory processing assessment helps parents, educators and other health professionals better understand a young person's listening difficulties and identify practical strategies to support them at school and in everyday life.

The process begins with a comprehensive hearing assessment to ensure hearing is adequate for the assessment, followed by a 90-minute auditory processing assessment. A detailed report is provided outlining the results and recommendations.

Why is an Auditory Processing Assessment Important?

Children can have normal hearing but still experience significant difficulty making sense of what they hear.

An auditory processing assessment explores different listening skills to better understand where a child's individual strengths and difficulties may lie. This can help explain why they may manage well in some situations but find listening much harder in a busy classroom, when following complex verbal instructions, or when information is presented quickly.

For some children, auditory processing difficulties may also affect their ability to follow the timing, rhythm and flow of conversation, which can make interactions with peers more challenging.

Understanding a child's individual auditory processing profile allows us to provide practical recommendations for parents and educators, including strategies to support listening, learning, communication and participation in the classroom and everyday environments.

Planning Your Child's Auditory Processing Assessment

A few things to know when booking:

• Appointment timing: For children under 12, we prefer to schedule auditory processing assessments earlier in the day, before school where possible. These assessments require sustained listening and concentration, so this helps minimise the effects of fatigue on results. An earlier appointment may also be helpful for teenagers who become tired after a full day at school.
• Medicare rebates: The hearing assessment component may be eligible for a Medicare rebate when you have a valid referral from your doctor.
• Detailed report: Following the assessment, your audiologist will prepare a comprehensive written report outlining the results and recommendations. Reports are generally completed within 3–4 weeks.
• For parents and caregivers: Unlike a standard hearing assessment, auditory processing testing is generally completed with the child and audiologist in the testing room without a parent or caregiver present. You are welcome to bring a book, laptop or device while you wait.