Auditory Spatial Processing Disorder: Diagnosis and Rehabilitation—A Narrative Review

Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) is characterized by difficulty processing auditory information despite normal hearing thresholds. Spatial processing disorder (SPD), a subtype of CAPD, impairs auditory stream segregation and can significantly affect daily functioning, particularly in children with a history of ear infections. This narrative review aimed to assess recent literature on the diagnosis and rehabilitation of SPD, highlighting the importance of timely evaluation and intervention. SPD diagnosis requires the integration of spatial processing tests into standard CAPD test batteries. Validated questionnaires, such as the 12-item Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale and the Shortened version of the Spatial Hearing Questionnaire, can streamline screening for SPD. Both free- and headphone-based tests, including the Listening in Spatialized Noise-Sentences (LiSN-S) test, are effective for evaluating spatial auditory processing. Free-field tests are useful for evaluation of hearing-aid users, whereas headphone-based tests, such as the LiSN-S may be more suitable for routine clinical use. Rehabilitation programs, such as LiSN & Learn, have demonstrated significant improvements in binaural processing abilities and speech understanding in noise. Future research should prioritize the multilingual adaptation of diagnostic tools and large-scale clinical trials to validate their effectiveness across diverse populations.