Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a condition where the brain has trouble making sense of sounds, even if a person’s hearing is normal. People with APD may find it hard to understand speech in noisy places, follow spoken directions, tell similar sounds apart, or remember things they hear.

The Buffalo Model explains APD as how well the brain processes what we hear. It affects skills like understanding speech (even in quiet or noisy places), listening to multiple sounds at once, remembering what was said, and figuring out where a sound is coming from. The good news is that with the right therapies, these challenges can improve!

What Causes APD?

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) happens when the brain has difficulty processing sounds correctly. While the exact causes aren’t always clear, researchers believe it can be linked to factors such as genetics, ear infections, head injuries, or developmental differences in the brain. Some people may be born with APD, while others develop it later due to illness, injury, or aging.

Because APD affects how the brain interprets sounds, it’s not a problem with hearing itself but rather how the brain makes sense of what is heard. Early identification and therapy can help improve listening and communication skills.

Dr. Corbin trained in Brazil and at Bloomsburg University and has many years of experience in APD. Recently she also traiend with Dr. Angela Alexander, Au.D. from the Auditory Processing Institute. 

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