Educators as referrers for central auditory processing assessments: who else refers and why?

This study aimed to investigate the referrers (including educators) and reasons children were referred to an audiology clinic for central auditory processing (CAP) evaluation, to identify a referral pathway for listening problems and professional development needs. A case file audit was used to examine the intake questionnaire completed by 150 parents whose child was diagnosed with central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). School staff were the most common referrers, followed by medical/allied health professionals, and family members. The most common concerns leading to referral were literacy, speech, language, and academic underperformance, followed by hearing, listening, and processing difficulties and emotional-behavioral issues. Significant correlations were observed between the referral sources and concerns. Results suggest that CAPD is primarily conceptualized as part of a more general educational concern. Continuing education and informational counseling is required to ensure that CAP referrals continue to be appropriately made.