Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD): From Hearing Struggles to Enhanced Empathy

🧏🏽‍♀️🐉 Growing up with Central Auditory Processing Disorder meant navigating a world where I had to compensate for challenges that weren’t always visible.

This disorder affects about 3%–5% of school-aged children. People with CAPD have average to acute hearing, but their brains don’t fully coordinate with their ears to interpret sounds. This isn’t about hearing loss; it’s about understanding.

For me, this meant struggling to follow conversations, especially in noisy settings, because my brain had trouble processing all the sounds around me.

🔥🔥🐉 It’s why I often said “huh?” to others - not out of rudeness, but to pull the words closer to my mind so that I could catch their meaning. You have no idea the number of times that I was told when I was a kid that I wasn’t paying enough attention or that I was not interested when I was very interested!

CAPD is also quite common among neurodivergent individuals. The same hyper-wiring that leads to neurodivergence appears correlated with CAPD, which makes me question whether it’s really a “disorder” to hear everything. This example is another area where someone is labeled “disordered” simply because their experience differs from the average.

🔥 Navigating CAPD in the Workplace

These challenges didn’t disappear in the workplace. In busy office environments, even basic conversations can feel overwhelming, and prolonged exposure to background noise makes it hard to concentrate and connect with others.

Online meetings are particularly challenging, but I learned to turn on audio captions whenever possible, which helps me keep up with complex discussions.

This extra effort I’ve struggled with my entire life has helped me strengthen my empathy for others - knowing firsthand the exhaustion of trying to keep up in an environment not adapted to my needs, I began over time to see others’ struggles more clearly, even if they were different from my own.

💎 Creating Inclusive Environments for All Communication Styles

Living with CAPD has underscored the importance of adapted communication practices. It helps when others are patient with me - when they repeat their words without irritation or offer clarity without judgment.

📝🐉 Sometimes, just writing down what they’re saying bridges the gap. But if I feel I’m irritating someone by asking, I’ll stop asking and start guessing, which can lead to misunderstandings.

What I’ve also learned? Creating spaces with varied communication options - like quieter settings, written notes, and visual cues - doesn’t just support people like me; it benefits everyone, building a more comfortable and connected team environment.

❤️‍🔥 Supporting Good Hearers

Just as adapted communication can ease the experience for those of us with CAPD, it can also create new possibilities for those with sharp auditory processing abilities.

By allowing time for everyone to process and giving visual or written cues, we provide the space for “good hearers” to engage more deeply without relying solely on verbal speed. These practices can enrich the conversation for all, creating balance and allowing everyone to contribute with clarity.

Dragon Wisdom: “For me, it wasn’t about hearing but understanding. Through my struggle, I found empathy for others’ invisible challenges. Now, I ensure everyone has the space and resources to connect deeply, knowing that clarity is a gift we can offer each other.”

🧠🐉 Embracing My Unique Path

Today, CAPD has shaped me into a leader who values clear, empathetic communication. What once felt like a frustrating limitation has given me a deep understanding of others’ struggles, helping me foster an inclusive environment where every voice is truly heard. It’s a reminder that when we adapt our spaces for accessibility, we create a stronger, more connected team.

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Caveat: Neurodiversity exists on a spectrum; no two experiences are the same. I am sharing my journey, but it’s important to remember that others may have different experiences.

Additionally, my story is shaped not only by neurodiversity but also by childhood trauma, which can make it challenging to differentiate between the causes of certain symptoms. This is my truth, but it may not reflect the experience of others.