Parents often ask, “Why are you looking at reflexes when we do our auditory processing evaluation?” And to understand that, it’s important to understand the auditory processing system.

My name is Vicky, and I’m a speech-language pathologist and co-owner of Dynamic Therapy Specialists. Today, I want to talk to you about how reflex integration and auditory processing work together.

The Auditory Processing System

The auditory processing system is designed to function differently in times of stress compared to when you’re balanced. When we are experiencing stress, whether or not it’s because of true stress or danger or just perceived stress or danger, the auditory processing system behaves in a way that supports protection and survival.

How the Auditory Processing System Functions in a Balanced State

When we are in a balanced state, our auditory processing system should be able to filter out or ignore subtle sounds. For example, if I’m in a classroom, the teacher is talking, but my friends are moving around. Maybe someone’s clicking a pen, maybe the air conditioner is turning on, maybe someone’s moving their legs.

When I am feeling safe, when I am balanced, when my system is not perceiving danger, I should be able to easily pay attention to a primary source of auditory information (the teacher speaking) and ignore subtle sounds.

How the Auditory Processing System Functions Under Stress

When we are in a state of stress, the auditory processing system functions differently. When you’re in protection and survival mode, your auditory system should pay attention to everything. Think back to the hunting and gathering days: if I’m hunting or being hunted, I need to listen to all the sounds, not just any particular sound.

I need to be able to focus on everything, all the sounds around me, so that I don’t get eaten (or so that I can eat something else). That makes sense. This is why times of stress will signal the auditory system differently than it will during a balanced state where I’m not perceiving stress.

The Role of Reflexes in Development and Survival

Reflexes lay the foundation for protection and survival. They are the beginning of learning and development, and they are going to contribute to the way that the auditory system processes. That’s why when we do an evaluation for auditory processing disorder, we’re also going to look at reflexes.

If you have a system of unintegrated reflexes, the brain has to work harder to do things that it should be doing automatically. This is what signals that “protection and survival” mode. This leads to an increase in production of adrenaline and cortisol because the body is preparing for fight or flight. And that’s when the auditory system will want to listen to everything instead of ignoring subtle sounds.

How We Diagnose Auditory Processing Disorders

When we’re diagnosing an auditory processing disorder, we want to understand: is the system inefficient due to a history of ear infections or other issues? Are we seeing a system that’s not efficiently processing sound? 

Or alternatively, does the child have a whole bunch of unintegrated reflexes? Are they signaling protection and survival more often than they should, and therefore, the ears are doing exactly what they’re supposed to be doing by listening to everything?

What Can Unintegrated Reflexes and Auditory Processing Challenges Look Like?

If I have unintegrated reflexes or an auditory processing disorder, I could look like I have difficulty with attention in class. I look like I have difficulties learning. I look like I have behavior problems because my system is working so hard that my emotional regulation is breaking down.

But is it because I have an inefficient auditory processing system, or is it because my reflexes are unintegrated and I’m having to use cognitive resources to do the things that I know that I’m supposed to be doing?

I’m a good kid. I know I’m supposed to be sitting in my chair right now. I know I’m supposed to be paying attention. I’m using all my energy to do that instead of focusing on what the teacher is saying. I have to think about staying in the chair versus it happening automatically. Therefore, I have less energy, less resources available to process what I’m hearing, to pay attention, to focus and attend.

Reach Out to DTS for an Evaluation

If some of this sounds familiar to you, if you know a child who has these challenges, or if you yourself are struggling with auditory processing, Dynamic Therapy Specialists is here to help.

Give us a call at (225) 767-5032 to schedule a comprehensive auditory processing evaluation. We’ll be happy to put together a remediation plan that can help you or your child if these are things that you are struggling with.