Listening Training Strategies for Auditory Processing Disorder: A Systematic Review

Abstract

In recent years, clinical intervention for central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) has become a fascinating and challenging field of research for audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Due to the heterogeneous nature of CAPD, treatment approaches mainly focus on individualized intervention programs. This present study systematically reviews the articles published in the past fifteen years (2005-2020) regarding various strategies available to rehabilitate individuals with auditory processing disorders. This article gives an overview of the various intervention options that address certain specific auditory deficits. This study also highlights direct skill remediation and its importance when combined with other training techniques like compensatory strategies, signal enhancement techniques, and informal training. With technological advancements, computer-based auditory training has become a prominent study interest in recent years. This study also gives an overview of recently developed computer-based auditory training software and interactive games for individuals with an auditory processing disorder. The studies explored in this research have also shown positive outcomes for therapy provided for auditory processes such as binaural integration, binaural separation, auditory closure training, temporal resolution, and temporal patterning. Besides providing direct remediation training, certain signal enhancement techniques (like FM systems and remote microphone hearing aid (RMHA) to cut off the noise and reverberations) and some compensatory approaches are also recommended. The present systematic review provides an overview of the studies on the efficacy of certain deficit-specific auditory training approaches in children with an auditory processing disorder.