Auditory Spatial Processing Disorder: Diagnosis and Rehabilitation-A Narrative Review

Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) is characterized by difficulty processing auditory information despite normal hearing thresholds. Spatial processing disorder (SPD), a subtype of CAPD, impairs auditory stream segregation and can significantly affect daily functioning, particularly in children with a history of ear infections....

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Audiologists managing patients with normal hearing thresholds but sound-localization difficulties should consider auditory spatial processing disorder as a diagnostic category; the review synthesizes current diagnostic tools and rehabilitation approaches, though as a narrative review it does not establish new evidence-based guidelines.

Auditory spatial processing disorder is an underrecognized subtype of central auditory processing disorder, and a consolidated review of its diagnosis and rehabilitation could support more consistent clinical identification and management.

1. 01Auditory spatial processing disorder is a subtype of central auditory processing disorder (difficulty interpreting sounds despite normal hearing thresholds).
2. 02Patients present with difficulty locating sounds in space, which standard audiograms may miss.
3. 03Review covers both diagnostic approaches and rehabilitation strategies.
4. 04As a narrative review, findings summarize existing literature rather than generating new evidence.
5. 05Published in Journal of Audiology and Otology (2026).

PMID

42958769

DOI

10.7874/jao.2025.00367.

Journal

Journal of Audiology and Otology

Publication type

review

Evidence level

5

Population

Individuals with auditory spatial processing disorder (a subtype of central auditory processing disorder)

Intervention

Narrative review of diagnostic and rehabilitation approaches for auditory spatial processing disorder