The National Foundation for the Deaf

Before *Sophie was diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) we had been noticing small things. Small, but significant. For example, she would become anxious when in a noisy crowd. At birthday parties she would sometime put her hands over her ears and ask to go home early.

It was also difficult to distract her when she watched TV. We would have to say her name, make eye contact and repeat the instruction before she would respond. She was also tired a lot of the time and often appeared worried, saying “I lost my words” mid conversation. She would fall asleep in the car on the way home from school. On several occasions she became teary before school as she worried about what was expected of her in class. I also noticed when I visited the school that she played by herself - happily enough - but regardless, on her own. She was also having a lot of trouble with reading and writing and spelling. We thought this was a phase and that maybe we were expecting too much of her. We were so very lucky to have a teacher that picked up her APD.

Once the hearing aids were in place and we had the system working properly, Sophie began immediately to flourish. My initial fears of her feeling ‘different' due to wearing the hearing aids, and issues with self managing the devices were completely unfounded, much to our relief.

Within 2 weeks we noticed that she was using more complex language and also, that she was articulating clearly and accurately. Each day brought a surprise in some shape or form, with language, or reading a road sign, and we were also delighted when her confidence began to build. Two months into the APD treatments she began to spell. That was a huge moment for me and I remember it very clearly; I had never been so proud of her.

Sophie is now nine months into her APD treatment and is still going from strength to strength. She raises her hand to answer questions while in class and doesn't need to look around to try and figure out what the rules are any more. She has become a leader. She is a popular girl in her class now and often leads the play. And no more falling asleep on the way home anymore either.

We are fundraising to support 50 kids in New Zealand that come from families that cannot afford to buy the hearing equipment they desperately need to lead a happy life. Children must have diagnosed Auditory Processing Disorder and be in genuine need.

*Real Case, name changed to protect identity