This working group includes researchers and doctors from the VA and DOD who focus on hearing problems. They work to diagnose, treat and support service members and veterans with these issues.

They develop tools and resources to:

• Identify military risk factors for CAPD
• Recognize problems that may complicate care
• Advanced evidence-based treatments

Our strategy:

• Evaluate and advance the science
• Conduct outreach and education
• Bring evidence-based practices to DOD and VA clinicians
• Educate ourselves and each other

About Central Auditory Processing Disorder

According to the National Institutes of Health, auditory processing disorder is “a condition in which people have trouble making sense of the sounds around them.” The sounds you hear travel from your ears, to and throughout your brain. Any changes along this path can interfere with how you process and understand sounds. Possible symptoms include:

• Struggling to recognize or understand speech in noisy settings
• Problems recognizing spoken words or keeping up with telephone conversations
• Finding it hard to tell the difference between words that sound alike
• Feeling uncertain about where sounds are coming from

There are many causes and risk factors for these symptoms. In adults, auditory processing difficulties usually appear with other conditions such as:

• Head injuries
• Aging
• Brain disease
• Job-related risks (such as noise, toxic chemicals)
• Certain mental health conditions
• Drugs

Risk factors common to military service include:

• Head injuries
• Blast exposure
• Jet fuel
• Noise exposure

Auditory processing disorder is not the same as hearing loss, but both can happen at the same time. Testing can help to determine the correct diagnosis. This working group is studying veterans and service members with normal or near-normal hearing, but worse-than-expected auditory processing test results.

Are you a VA or DOD clinician interested in joining the VA-DOD CAPD Working Group? Email our group.