Have you ever met someone who says they can hear perfectly fine, but still struggles to understand speech, especially in noisy environments? That puzzling disconnect might be explained by Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) – a condition affecting what our brains do with the sounds our ears detect.

Dr. Angela Alexander reveals a startling finding from the Framingham cohort study: approximately 20% of adults who report hearing difficulties actually have normal hearing test results. These individuals aren't imagining their struggles – they're experiencing processing issues that standard hearing tests don't capture. "We used to think about auditory processing in terms of people who had no hearing loss whatsoever," Dr. Alexander explains, "but it is also possible to have hearing loss and processing problems." This insight opens new possibilities for helping people who have hearing aids but aren't getting the improvements they expected.

The conversation takes a serious turn when discussing the profound psychological impact of undiagnosed CAPD. People with this condition often withdraw from social situations, creating isolation that contributes to our national loneliness epidemic. Dr. Alexander shares a practical screening tool – the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA) – that can help identify potential CAPD cases by measuring the mismatch between audiogram results and self-reported difficulties. This simple questionnaire could be the difference between continued frustration and finding appropriate help for millions of people.

For hearing healthcare professionals listening, this episode provides valuable insights on expanding your practice to better serve this underrecognized population. For those struggling with hearing but told their tests are normal, it offers validation and hope. Listen now to understand the critical difference between hearing and processing – and discover how addressing both can transform lives.

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