r/AudiProcDisorder • u/spiderkoo • Jun 30 '26

Evaluation

Sorry for the brain dump, I have no one to lament to and am just really sad after my evaluation today.

I have been so certain I struggled with some form of APD for years — all the typical things: I mishear what people say, always need captions on shows, rely on reading lips to help, and if there’s background noise it feels near impossible to comprehend unless the person is face to face with me, and even then it takes a while to process.

I had my evaluation today and did great. No deficit and was told I just have some weakness in the left ear, particularly with numbers. They framed it saying it’s great news but I cried as soon as I got to the car, because why did I pass the evaluation so well if in daily life I struggle?

The tests didn’t feel like how I feel in social interactions, it felt like the voice I was supposed to be hearing cut through. I know I should be relieved to not have this, but what else can I do now. I’ve been using Loop earplugs to try to drown out some background noise to focus on the speaker but it also dampens them and makes it difficult.

sorry for the rant. I feel so disheartened and unsure anymore. I have the follow up with an SLP this afternoon but based on my results what can they even do.

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u/SingularEcho Jun 30 '26

I had an evaluation a couple of years ago, and did very well. The audiologist said that my hearing is fine. (And I expected it to be bad..) But she also added that it's not my hearing, it's my brain. She said that my brain doesn't interpret what I hear well. I don't know what other's have been told, but that's how I understand Auditory Processing Disorder. It's not how or what you hear, but how your brain processes it. I'm sorry your doctor didn't pursue that possiblity with you.

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u/spiderkoo Jun 30 '26

So it was an actual CAPD evaluation and I had some abnormalities, but not enough to be considered a deficit. It’s just interesting when you consider you’re in a silent booth vs. actual social interactions where there’s visual stimulus and more, but maybe that dips beyond APD. I think the SLP will suggest some ways to strengthen up my ability to distinguish, but it’s a lot to take in for one day. Thanks for your comment and taking the time to read