What does central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) affect?

Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) is a condition that specifically impacts the brain's ability to process and interpret sounds, including speech. Individuals with CAPD typically have normal peripheral hearing, meaning their ears can detect sounds, but they struggle to make sense of those sounds when they reach the brain. This can affect their ability to understand spoken language, follow conversations, especially in noisy environments, and distinguish between similar sounding words.

The other options do not accurately represent the nature of CAPD. For example, difficulties with hearing at low volumes are not specific to CAPD, nor are they indicative of the processing deficits inherent in the disorder. Similarly, CAPD does not affect the physical structure of the ear; rather, it concerns how the brain processes auditory information once sounds have been received. Lastly, while CAPD may influence how sounds are perceived, it does not specifically relate to the perception of loud and soft sounds, as this aspect is more about the individual's hearing sensitivity rather than the processing of auditory information itself. Thus, the ability to process and understand auditory information is the hallmark characteristic of CAPD.