Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) doesn't mean the person "can't hear", i.e. is deaf. It's the same as saying a person who wears glasses/contacts to correct vision "can't see". I need glasses to read (darn!) and also am required by law to wear them to drive a car. My son uses an FM system at school (yes, even in his 4 person class) to focus on what the teacher is saying (so he can hear.) People with APD often have extremely sensitive hearing, but have problem with discrimination. For example, the teacher's voice is equal to the little pencil scratches across paper, foot tapping, chair squeaks of other kids in the room. Even when a teacher projects very well, the kids are well-behaved, and the student is sitting in the first row. You can imagine how difficult group labs in science room setting are for a kid with APD or a class where kids talk out of turn frequently. And those lovely overhead scattered speakers in the ceiling (which are all the rage for class control and helping everyone hear) make hearing for the APD student much more difficult. If your ds has to ask for directions to be repeated, or check with neighbor to find out what was said, then it really is time to see a specialist in auditory processing disorders (which can be somewhat hard to locate.) You might check out
http://www.beyondtheearlouisville.com/ for information on APD. Beware of "screening" style exams that average scores and tell you "yes, there might be a problem" (been there done that, what a waste of time/$$.) Beware of hearing aid stores that say they can help you. Look for an audiologist with specialized training (possibly on a university staff) who is not trying to sell you equipment, and/or check with a local speech/hearing/deaf preschool/school for referral. The FM system (yes, Mom and Dad's funds) has been a wonderful breakthrough for our son. Unfortunately did not purchase it until he was 10.
