Central Auditory Processing Disorder

Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD): This term describes a condition in which the affected individual, whose hearing capabilities are otherwise functionally sound, will have difficulty understanding and processing information that is heard. It is believed that this occurs as the result of a communication breakdown somewhere between the ear and the parts of the brain that receive and interpret hearing stimuli. All of the possible causes of this disorder are still not known, but those that are known include: head trauma, lead poisoning, and possibly chronic ear infections. Because of the wide variety of possible causes of this disorder, and the strong likelihood of the existence of multiple contributing causes, each suspected case needs to be carefully evaluated on an individual basis.