Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) Testing

Finding a specialist with true expertise in any area is crucial to a successful outcome. Whether you're choosing a housepainter, a cardiac surgeon or an audiologist well-versed in CAPD, important questions should addressed. A frank, ''interview'' style question and answer approach may be effective. For example; How long have you been practicing? What is your experience in this particular area? What is you philosophy regarding diagnosis and management of CAPD? Do you offer specific recommendations in light of an individual's results? Do you offer remediation in the form of therapy or classes if the diagnosis of CAPD is confirmed?

A competent individual will not mind answering these questions. An ''interview'' such as this will help insure that you both have similar expectations, making it more likely the experience will be successful for both of you.

The costs involved in an CAPD battery can vary tremendously. A good test battery approach, using commonly accepted diagnostic test measures that have been well-normed (that is, have been tested on both CAPD and non-CAPD populations to determine that they not only correctly identify those with CAPD but also exclude those without it) can easily run several hundred dollars. Additional tests that look at different ways the brain can respond to auditory stimuli require additional equipment and will come at additional cost. Be sure to ask your audiologist what the basic test protocol involves and what the potential fees are. Unfortunately, CAPD testing is not routinely covered by many major insurance carriers.

The final part of your question is the most easily answered: Adults can certainly be tested for CAPD and the results are as helpful as the audiologist is capable. An audiologist experienced in this area will be able to make remediation suggestions that are specific to an individual's communication environments at home, at work, and in common social situations.