Central Auditory Processing Disorder

Here’s how Central Auditory Processing Disorder symptoms may also be explained by retained primitive reflexes and incomplete lower brain development.

Problems with processing auditory information can be signs of a poorly functioning vestibular system. This important sensory system is located in the inner ear, and it’s the first to receive input before sending information on to the other senses. However, if the initial vestibular input is poor, then the other senses (e.g. auditory) will not have good information to act on. In such cases, the root of the problem may be with the vestibular, rather than auditory, system.

Problems with paying attention and filtering background noises can be signs of incomplete midbrain development. One of the functions of the midbrain is to act as a filter of unimportant information. However, when this is not working as intended, it’s very difficult to focus since everything entering the brain competes for attention.

Poor spelling can also be a sign of an underdeveloped midbrain. With a developed midbrain, we are able to process more detailed information, including hearing the differences among similar sounds (e.g. how short i sounds in comparison to short e). Without such awareness, we will not be able to accurately spell a word by sounding it out.

People who routinely need information repeated may be missing several automatic functions that are associated with a well-organized brain. For example, these people may process the rate of speech a little slower than how everyone else is hearing it, so they just need a little more time to finish processing the original message. If the speaker waits a few seconds after the person says, “What?” or “Huh?” the person usually responds appropriately.