What auditory processing disorder is

Auditory processing disorder (APD) is when the ears receive sound normally, but the hearing centres and circuits of the brain don’t correctly process incoming auditory information. APD is diagnosed by a specialised audiologist.

Parents or whānau can talk to their GP to arrange a standard hearing test for their tamariki | child. If APD is suspected, parents should seek a referral to a qualified paediatric audiologist for a full auditory processing assessment.

The New Zealand Audiological Society has more information about APD.

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) – New Zealand Audiological Society

Assistive technology for APD

Students diagnosed with APD may be advised by their audiologist to trial a personal remote microphone hearing system (RMHA) to help them hear in noisy classroom situations.

An RMHA may be considered as a part of a comprehensive management plan for a student's APD. It should not be the sole management strategy.

Eligibility for RMHA allocation

For a student to be considered for a Ministry-funded personal RMHA, they must be eligible for our assistive technology funding.

Learn about who is eligible to receive assistive technology funding.

Who assistive technology is for

Each of the following must also apply:

• They have a formal diagnosis of APD from a specialised paediatric audiologist.
• They are receiving additional adult support to address their learning needs in class.
• They have trialled an RMHA device and can show that the system makes a difference to their learning outcomes.

Other forms of assistive technology support may be available for ākonga that do not have an APD diagnosis.

Trialling an RMHA

School or kura staff may arrange the school-based trial. It will involve the student's teacher and specialist support staff. Contact your regional office for support to trial the RMHA system.

• Before the trial, the team will identify the learning behaviours they expect the RMHA system to support.
• During the trial, school or kura staff will support the student to use the RMHA system and record the difference it is making for the student's learning outcomes.
• The length of the trial is usually between 2 to 4 weeks, but longer trials are sometimes necessary.

If no significant changes to the targeted learning behaviours are observed during the trial period, the device will be returned to the us.

Apply for an RMHA

If the trial is successful, send us a completed APD application form.

Email your application to:

• Te Tai Raro | North – Northland and Auckland: [email protected]
• Te Tai Whenua | Central – Waikato to Whanganui-Manawatū: [email protected]
• Te Tai Runga | South – Wellington and South Island: [email protected].

Using an RMHA system at home

An RMHA can go home with a student as long as there is an agreement between the principal and parents or whānau. You can use our management plan template to document the agreement.

Items allocated through our assistive technology provision are owned by the school or kura. Your school’s insurance policy covers all assistive technology while it is being used for educational purposes. This includes at school, off site, in transit or at home.