Auditory processing is where you have difficulty understanding what sounds and words mean.
It may be difficult to:
- identify different sounds
- understand what those sounds mean
- remember and make sense of what we heard
- make sense of poor-quality sounds such as a phone call/echoey rooms
Auditory processing is very important for language development.
What you may see
- Your child may find it hard to concentrate.
- They may get distracted easily.
- They may have trouble hearing what someone is saying in a noisy place. For example, they might have a hard time hearing their teacher’s voice over other background noises and they may not respond when their name is called.
- They may have difficulty understanding an unfamiliar accent.
- They might mix up similar sounding words.
Strategies and advice
- Use the child’s name to draw their attention to the sound of your voice.
- Give one instruction at a time.
- Speak to them so that they can see your face.
- Use short, simple sentences to give directions. Repeat if needed, using the same words.
- Give your child extra time to listen and understand before asking them to start a task.
- Try using pictures and gestures while giving information.
- Reduce loud and background noises where possible. Ear defenders are not recommended for daily use but can help in specific loud activities like firework displays, carnivals, and music events. Using ear defenders too much can make children more sensitive to noise.
- Keep focused listening time short.
- Sit the child close to what they need to listen to.
Remember, it can be very tiring for a child if they have trouble listening and understanding sounds. It takes a lot of concentration to follow instructions and finish activities.
Some activities/games can help to develop a child’s auditory processing. A few examples are listed below:
- Play Simon Says.
- Practice listening out for particular sounds in your everyday environment: play “I hear with my little ear…”
- When reading a story, have some toys or props next to you. As each item is mentioned in the story, pick up the related prop.
- Clap when you hear a particular word or phrase in a story or during teaching.
- Act out simple stories when reading.
- Play sound games.
- Count how many times you hear a specific noise.
The following resources contain further information:
1. “Can I Tell You about Auditory Processing Disorder?: A Guide for Friends, Family and Professionals” Alyson Mountjoy
2. Great Ormond Street Hospital – Auditory Processing Disorder
Last reviewed November 2025