Does your child struggle to understand instructions in a noisy classroom, confuse similar-sounding words or frequently ask people to repeat themselves, despite having normal hearing?
These difficulties may be associated with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), a condition that affects how the brain processes and interprets sounds.
Although there is no single cure for APD, targeted auditory training can help improve specific listening skills and support everyday communication.
At Melody Hear For You, we provide personalised clinician-led auditory training and home-based computerised training programs for children and adults.

What Is Auditory Training?
Auditory training (AT) involves structured listening exercises designed to strengthen auditory processing skills.
Depending on assessment results, training may target:
• Speech-in-noise understanding: Following conversations with background noise.
• Auditory discrimination: Distinguishing similar speech sounds, such as /p/ and /b/.
• Dichotic listening: Processing different sounds presented simultaneously to each ear.
• Auditory memory: Remembering spoken information and instructions.
• Auditory closure: Understanding speech when parts of the message are unclear.
• Temporal processing: Recognising sound patterns, timing and sequences.
The aim is to improve listening abilities and help clients apply these skills in everyday situations.

1. Clinician-Led Auditory Training
At Melody Hear For You, clinician-led auditory training is tailored to each client's auditory processing profile.
Our programs commonly involve 14 individual sessions, delivered through telehealth across Australia or face-to-face in eligible Sydney areas.
Sessions may include:
Phonemic training: Identifying and distinguishing similar speech sounds, progressing from individual sounds to words and sentences.
Speech-in-noise training: Practising speech understanding against progressively more challenging background noise or competing speech.
Dichotic listening training: Exercises designed to strengthen the ability to process different auditory information presented to both ears.
Auditory memory training: Remembering number sequences, sentences and verbal instructions of increasing complexity.
Unlike computerised programs, clinician-led training allows the audiologist to adjust difficulty, provide immediate feedback and incorporate practical communication strategies.

2. Home-Based Auditory Training Programs
We also offer several computerised programs that clients can complete at home, either independently or alongside clinician-led sessions.
CAPDOTS – Dichotic Listening Training
CAPDOTS is an online auditory training program targeting difficulties with processing different information presented simultaneously to both ears.
It may be recommended for individuals with identified dichotic listening or binaural integration weaknesses.
Training typically runs for approximately 8–12 weeks, with progress monitored by the audiologist.
Zoo Caper Skyscraper – Binaural Integration
Developed by Acoustic Pioneer, Zoo Caper Skyscraper uses interactive games to train dichotic listening.
Different sounds are presented to each ear through stereo headphones, requiring the player to identify auditory information accurately.
It is particularly useful for targeting identified dichotic listening weaknesses.
Insane Earplane – Auditory Pattern Processing
Another Acoustic Pioneer program, Insane Earplane targets auditory pattern recognition and related processing skills.
Activities involve recognising differences in sound pitch, timing, intensity and movement between ears.
It may be recommended for individuals with specific auditory pattern-processing difficulties.
Elephant Memory – Working Memory
Elephant Memory provides exercises targeting auditory and visual working memory.
Activities include recalling number sequences, remembering information and completing tasks involving distractions.
It may be recommended when working-memory difficulties contribute to a client's listening challenges.
Sound Storm – Spatial Listening
Sound Storm is an Australian-developed auditory training app designed primarily for children with Spatial Processing Disorder, a subtype of auditory processing difficulty.
Using headphones, children practise understanding target speech while competing voices are presented from different perceived locations.
Training commonly runs for approximately 10–12 weeks.
Research on the underlying LiSN & Learn approach has demonstrated improvements in targeted spatial listening skills in selected groups of children.

3. Which Auditory Training Program Is Best?
There is no single program suitable for everyone with APD.
Treatment depends on the individual's assessment results, age and everyday listening difficulties.
For example:
• Dichotic listening difficulties: CAPDOTS or Zoo Caper Skyscraper.
• Spatial processing difficulties: Sound Storm.
• Speech-sound discrimination difficulties: Clinician-led phonemic training.
• Multiple auditory processing difficulties: A combination of clinician-led therapy and selected home programs.
At Melody Hear For You, we select training based on identified needs rather than using the same approach for every client.

4. Does Auditory Training Really Work?
Research suggests targeted auditory training can improve certain auditory processing abilities, although outcomes vary between individuals.
Improvement in training tasks does not always translate directly into better everyday communication. Therefore, progress should be monitored through both auditory assessments and functional listening outcomes.
Auditory training may also be combined with classroom accommodations, remote microphone systems, communication strategies and support from other professionals.
The goal is not simply to improve test scores, but to make everyday listening easier and more effective.

5. Can Adults Benefit from Auditory Training?
Yes. Auditory training may also benefit adults who experience difficulty following conversations in noisy environments, participating in meetings or processing lengthy verbal instructions.
Training can be tailored to workplace, social and daily communication needs.

6. Do You Need an APD Assessment First?
An audiological assessment is recommended before starting targeted auditory training.
Listening difficulties can arise from hearing loss, APD, attention or language difficulties, or a combination of factors.
A comprehensive assessment helps identify which auditory skills require support and guides the most suitable rehabilitation plan.
Auditory Training at Melody Hear For You
At Melody Hear For You, we offer individualised auditory processing rehabilitation for children and adults, including:
• Personalised clinician-led auditory training
• Telehealth sessions across Australia
• Face-to-face sessions in eligible Sydney areas
• Home-based programs including CAPDOTS, Zoo Caper Skyscraper, Insane Earplane, Elephant Memory and Sound Storm
• Progress monitoring and practical listening strategies