When the Brain Can't Hear: Unraveling the Mystery of Auditory Processing Disorder [Paperback]

Ph.d. Teri James Bellis (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 22, 2003

In this landmark book, Dr. Teri James Bellis, one of the world's leading authorities on auditory processing disorder (APD), explains the nature of this devastating condition and provides insightful case studies that illustrate its effect on the lives of its sufferers.

Millions of Americans struggle silently with APD. For many of them, holding a simple conversation can be next to impossible. As sound travels through an imperfect auditory pathway, words become jumbled, distorted, and unintelligible. As Dr. Bellis notes, the most profound impact of this highly specific impediment to auditory comprehension may be on the young. Facing a severely reduced ability to read, spell, comprehend, and communicate, children with APD are subject to anxiety, academic failure, and a damaged sense of self. Often, they are misdiagnosed.

Discussing the latest and most promising clinical advances and treatment options, and providing a host of proven strategies for coping, Dr. Bellis takes much of the mystery out of APD. If you or anyone you know has difficulty comprehending spoken language, or if your child is struggling in school, this important book may have the answers you need.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) occurs when the brain cannot process or understand correctly the sounds the ears hear, even though the ears might be functioning properly. It is rarely recognized, often misdiagnosed, and poorly understood, yet the effects can be devastating. Pocket is simultaneously releasing two complementary texts on the subject that are definitely worth some notice. Foli's Like Sound Through Water is a mother's account of her family's struggle with APD in her oldest son, Ben. Her account reads like a novel and is thoroughly engaging while providing a wealth of information. Foli clearly shows the pain misdiagnosis and clinical inaccuracies can cause. While finally obtaining a correct diagnosis brought some relief, Foli shows that the battle for normalcy had only begun. This is mostly a success story with an upbeat ending. The resource section in the back is a bonus. Bellis's When the Brain Can't Hear is the first APD sourcebook written specifically for lay readers. Bellis, the author of an important text on APD for professionals (Assessment and Management of Central Auditory Processing Disorders in the Educational Setting from Science to Practice), herself suffers from APD as the result of a car accident. Her text is naturally more clinical in nature but still quite readable. It covers the many subtypes of APD and their manifestations, diagnosis and testing, treatment options, and coping techniques. The ample glossary adds to the book's accessibility. Either of these texts would be appropriate additions to most collections, but they are best purchased together. The diagnosis of APD is seen more frequently, and with no other lay texts on the subject available, these books are absolutely essential. KellyJo Houtz Griffin, Eatonville, WA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

The term auditory processing disorder (APD), a 1960s coinage, refers to an affliction of the system running from the ear to the brain that is to be distinguished from problems with hearing, language, and thinking. Because Bellis has suffered from APD after a car accident, she changed the main thrust of her career to avoid specific tasks she was no longer able to perform and still continue in her major field. She gives a clear and informative account of the condition, which has five basic types and manifold variations. APD can complicate socialization and cause sufferers to miss the vocal changes of humor, sarcasm, and other spoken subtleties. Bellis draws on many case histories to underline her points, among them that APD can occur at almost any age and in both sexes. She examines the difficulties of obtaining the accurate diagnosis vital for effective treatment; reports on the wide variety of therapies needed for APD; explains how to adjust at school, work, and home; and concludes with a thorough glossary. William Beatty
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Atria Books (July 22, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743428641
• ISBN-13: 978-0743428644
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1.3 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Diseases & Physical Ailments > Hearing Problems
  • #53 in Books > Education & Reference > Words, Language & Grammar > Speech

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 69 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Concrete help for those desperately seeking solutions! May 22, 2002

By Lisa R. Simmons

Format:Hardcover

It can be so easy to dismiss it as a lack of interest or a lack of attention:
** The student who doesn't follow directions in class.
** The spouse who denies all knowledge of something you specifically told them.

Even those who search for a cause are often told that hearing tests show that hearing is "normal". But sometimes your instincts still shout that something isn't right & it's for those families that When the Brain Can't Hear was written. For those struggling to understand what an auditory processing disorder is -- this book will be a God-send. As Dr. Bellis describes the many faces of APD through a series of case studies she presents clearly what it is AND what it isn't. The middle section of the book, which discusses the actual processes of hearing & language, is probably more technical than most layman will appreciate. However, Dr. Bellis more than makes up for this with her extensive sections on treating and living with APD. These sections offer a wonderful array of practical tips and suggestions. I would highly recommend this book as one offering concrete help for those desperately seeking solutions!

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars very, very helpful March 26, 2002

By Corin Goodwin

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Teri Bellis' new book is fantastic... A must-read for anyone whose life is touched by auditory processing disorder (family, teachers, medical professionals, etc). I bought it for myself and sent it to friends and family. I'm planning on passing it along to our pediatrician and our ENT, as well, since their awareness of this disorder could have saved us years of searching for answers! Maybe our knowledge can help someone else.

_When the Brain Can't Hear_ is a well-written and easily read explanation of what APD is, what it isn't, and what it might be. This makes sense as APD identification often requires a good deal of detective work, particularly when the 'patient' is a child. Dr. Bellis takes a conservative approach to APD identification, frequently reminding the reader not to make assumptions without appropriate data... but she doesn't just say "hey, maybe you have it and maybe you don't." She gives you other options to consider, too, so you're not left hanging if APD isn't the answer to your questions.

In reading this book, I learned a great deal about how APD manifests, what causes (what might cause) the different manifestations, and ways to address these areas. The only area I had trouble with was treatment specific to subtype. Dr. Bellis uses a system to categorize types of APD that seemed a bit too cut and dry for me. I had some difficulty identifying my daughter's subtype (her evaluation was done by someone who doesn't use the same system of classification) and therefore figuring out which treatment methods Dr. Bellis felt would best remediate her specific symptoms. Overall, however, the book gave me plenty to consider both in terms of understanding the disorder and better understanding the many treatment options.

I highly recommend this book. If you only read one book on APD, this is the one you should read.

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Read the Whole Book Before you Review It! April 22, 2004

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

For the reader who said that this book is depressing, consists entirely of case studies, and provides no concrete information regarding diagnosis or, especially, treatment, I couldn't help but notice that you wrote your review when you had only read half of the book. Read on! You will find specific recommendations for diagnosis, understanding APD and its relationship to language and learning, and tons of treatment approaches that offer hope for children and adults with APD. The case studies serve to illustrate how these disorders affect people in the real world, and you may see yourself, your child, your parent, or your spouse in them. But this is the only book written for the layperson that really, truly does provide guidance that is scientifically sound from a world renowned expert in the field. Next time, please read the whole book before you review it!!