Who we are:
The APD SIG, was established in 2003 and is the first BSA SIG. Our steering group represents a broad range of professional disciplines and includes leading researchers and clinicians from a wide range of professional backgrounds.
We foster strong links with the community and individuals with APD as well as their families. We invite both professionals and members of the public to serve as advisors to our SIG.
Our Aims
- Promote a high standard of research and evidence-based care and encourage international and multidisciplinary collaboration
- Build knowledge and empower professionals, funders and all stakeholders to improve the lives of adults and children with APD
Steering Group Members
Steering Group
Dr Nehzat Koohi (Chair)
Principal Clinical Academic Fellow / Principal Clinical Scientist
University College London National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
Dr Hannah Stewart (Vice Chair)
Senior Lecturer in Developmental Psychology/ paediatric auditory neuroscientist
Lancaster University
Dr Chrysa Spyridakou (Honorary Secretary)
Consultant Audiovestibular Physician / Honorary Senior Lecturer
UCL, UCLH NHS Foundation Trust Royal National ENT and Eastman
Dr Ansar Ahmmed
Consultant Paediatric Audiovestibular Physician
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Christina Murphy (Online Learning Lead)
Specialist Paediatric Audiologist
NHS and private practice (The APD Clinic)
Silvia Bonaventura (Communications / YouTube Lead)
Paediatric Audiologist
UCLH NHS Foundation Trust Royal National ENT and Eastman
Rachel Crum (Early career professional)
Specialist Audiologist
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
Rebecca Johnson (Early career professional)
Clinical Scientist / Specialist Audiologist
University of Southampton
Stuart Whyte
Educational Audiologist
University of Southampton
Reference Members and Advisors
Prof Doris Bamiou
Prof Harvey Dillon
Prof David R. Moore
Dr Tony Sirimanna
APD SIG Update
The SIG has completed its contribution to the Joint BSA / BATOD / National ALD guidance document:
“Acoustic environment and technology for individuals with APD and difficulty hearing speech-in-noise despite a normal audiogram.”
This document, developed with PPG involvement, is currently with PPG and is being prepared for external review.
The SIG is currently working on:
A BSA APD Position Statement, outlining shared principles across clinical practice, service delivery, and research.
Two APD Practice Guidance documents focusing on:
- Paediatric APD
- Adult APD
These documents are being developed through a staged drafting process with structured opportunities for discussion and feedback. The current timeline is for drafts to be submitted to PPG to begin formal review in June 2026.
We would like to thank the BSA community for their patience as this work has progressed. The complexity of APD requires wide engagement, careful drafting, and alignment with BSA and PPG governance processes, all of which take time to ensure high-quality outcomes.
Resources
Other resources
(Disclaimer: Although care has been taken in preparing this information, the BSA does not necessarily endorse and cannot guarantee the interpretation and application of it. The BSA cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions, and accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage howsoever arising)
APD: Neural basis of central auditory processing (also available on the BSA Online Learning platform) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuHXJU_qCQw
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/central-auditory-processing-disorder/
Audiology Australia Professional Practice Standards Part B Clinical Standards (p.90) https://audiology.asn.au/Tenant/C0000013/Position%20Papers/Member%20Resources/Clinical%20Standards%20partb%20-%20whole%20document%20July13%201.pdf
A European perspective https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2017.00622/full
APD Support UK https://apdsupportuk.yolasite.com/
APD Meshguide https://www.meshguides.org/guides/node/1432?n=1398
Canadian Guidelines on Auditory Processing Disorder in Children and Adults: Assessment and Intervention
https://www.ooaq.qc.ca/media/qf4ar4jk/canadian_guidelines_en.pdf
New Zealand Guidelines on Auditory Processing Disorder
https://audiology.org.nz/assets/Uploads/APD/NZ-APD-GUIDELINES-2019.pdf
NHS online
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/auditory-processing-disorder/
World Health Organisation (p.37)
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240021570
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