What does central auditory processing disorder affect?

Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) primarily affects how the brain processes auditory information. This means it can lead to difficulty in distinguishing between sounds, especially subtle differences in words or sounds, which aligns with the correct answer. Individuals with CAPD may hear sounds but struggle to comprehend or make sense of them, impacting their ability to understand spoken language, particularly in noisy environments. This difficulty can manifest as challenges in following directions, understanding lessons, or remembering what was said.

The other options do not accurately describe CAPD. Total hearing loss would indicate a different auditory condition rather than a processing issue. While processing speed may be affected indirectly, it is not the core characteristic of CAPD, making the suggestion that it directly impacts the speed of processing auditory signals misleading. Lastly, auditory hallucinations are associated with other disorders, not CAPD, which involves problems with perception and interpretation of sounds that are actually present.