Buffalo Model APD Therapy: Professional Treatment via Telehealth

Living with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) can feel like trying to listen to a conversation underwater—the sounds reach you, but understanding them requires tremendous effort. At HearSense SC, we specialize in the Buffalo Model, a comprehensive therapy protocol designed to address the specific challenges that make processing auditory information difficult. This evidence-based approach has helped countless children and adults improve their ability to understand speech, follow directions, and succeed in both academic and social settings.

Understanding the Buffalo Model Approach

The Buffalo Model represents a systematic way to treat APD by addressing the specific areas where auditory processing breaks down. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, this therapy protocol targets the individual's unique diagnostic profile. After completing a comprehensive APD evaluation, our audiologist identifies which specific processing areas need intervention and creates a personalized treatment plan.

This therapy model has gained widespread recognition among audiologists who specialize in APD treatment because it provides a structured yet flexible framework. The approach acknowledges that auditory processing involves multiple interconnected skills, and strengthening these skills requires targeted, consistent practice.

The Four Categories of Auditory Processing

The Buffalo Model organizes auditory processing challenges into four distinct categories, each representing a different aspect of how the brain handles sound information.

Decoding refers to the brain's ability to understand and interpret speech at the phonemic level—the smallest units of sound that make up words. When decoding is impaired, individuals struggle to distinguish between similar-sounding words or phonemes. They might confuse "pat" with "bat" or have difficulty recognizing words when spoken quickly. This category focuses on improving the speed and accuracy with which the auditory cortex processes speech sounds.

Tolerance-Fading Memory (TFM) addresses two related challenges: understanding speech in noisy environments and maintaining auditory information in short-term memory. Many people with APD find background noise particularly exhausting—whether it's a busy restaurant, a classroom with shuffling papers, or an office with multiple conversations happening simultaneously. The TFM component helps individuals filter out irrelevant noise while maintaining attention on important auditory information. The memory aspect works on retaining and recalling spoken information, which directly impacts following multi-step directions and remembering verbal instructions.

Integration involves the brain's ability to process and relate both visual and auditory information simultaneously. When integration is affected, individuals often experience severe reading and spelling difficulties similar to dyslexia. These challenges occur because reading requires coordinating what the eyes see on the page with the sounds those letters represent. People with integration deficits might be strong auditory learners but struggle when asked to read, or they might excel at visual tasks but find it hard to connect those visuals with spoken language.

Organization centers on sequencing and the ability to retain and organize auditory information in the correct order. This category impacts following directions, particularly when multiple steps are involved. Someone with organization deficits might hear all the words in a set of instructions but struggle to remember them in sequence or act on them in the right order.

How Buffalo Model Therapy Sessions Work

Our Buffalo Model therapy program consists of two rounds of sessions with a planned break between them. This structure serves a specific purpose: the break allows the brain time to generalize, generate, and integrate the skills being developed. During this rest period, the neural pathways continue adapting and strengthening without direct intervention.

Each session involves specific interventions tailored to the categories identified during the evaluation. The activities might include phonemic discrimination exercises, memory training with gradually increasing auditory loads, exercises that coordinate visual and auditory processing, or sequencing tasks that build organizational skills.

The therapy requires active participation and consistent practice. Between sessions, individuals typically have homework assignments designed to reinforce the skills being developed. These home practice activities are an important part of the treatment protocol, helping the brain establish new processing patterns through repetition and consistency.

Throughout the therapy process, we monitor progress and adjust interventions as needed. Some individuals respond quickly to certain activities, while others need more time or a modified approach. The flexibility built into the Buffalo Model allows us to adapt the therapy to each person's progress and needs.

In-Person and Telehealth Options

We offer Buffalo Model therapy both at our Columbia, South Carolina clinic and via telehealth. The telehealth option has opened access to evidence-based APD treatment for families who might otherwise struggle to receive specialized care.

Many parents wonder whether auditory therapy can be effective through a computer screen. The answer is yes—with proper setup and the right technology, telehealth sessions can be just as effective as in-person treatment. The activities and exercises translate well to a virtual environment, and the one-on-one nature of the sessions means individuals receive the same personalized attention they would in our office.

For telehealth sessions, families need a quiet space with a reliable internet connection, a computer with a webcam, and headphones. We provide guidance on the technical requirements before beginning therapy to make sure everyone has what they need for successful sessions.

Serving Multiple States Through Telehealth

Our audiologist holds licenses in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, allowing us to provide APD evaluations and Buffalo Model therapy to residents throughout the Southeast. This multi-state licensure reflects our commitment to making specialized auditory processing care accessible to more families who might otherwise have limited options in their local area.

Telehealth has proven particularly valuable for families living in rural areas or communities without access to audiologists trained in APD evaluation and treatment. Parents no longer need to drive hours to major medical centers or coordinate time off work for frequent appointments. Instead, therapy sessions can fit more easily into family schedules, reducing barriers that might otherwise prevent consistent treatment.

Treatment Timeline and What to Expect

The duration of Buffalo Model therapy varies depending on the individual's specific challenges and how they respond to treatment. Some people complete the protocol in several months, while others benefit from a longer intervention period. The two-round structure with breaks built in typically spans several months, allowing time for skill development and consolidation.

Families often notice changes in everyday situations before formal testing shows improvement. A child might start following directions more reliably, seem less fatigued after school, or show more confidence in noisy environments. Adults might find conversations in restaurants less exhausting or notice they're asking people to repeat themselves less often.

Progress happens gradually rather than overnight. The brain needs time to establish new processing patterns, and consistent practice helps solidify these improvements. We work closely with families to set realistic expectations and celebrate the incremental gains that add up over time.

Begin Your Journey Toward Better Auditory Processing

If you or your child struggles with understanding speech in noise, following directions, remembering verbal information, or reading and spelling, an APD evaluation might provide answers. We offer comprehensive assessments followed by evidence-based treatment options including the Buffalo Model.

Contact HearSense SC at (803) 567-2533 to schedule an APD evaluation. Our audiologist can help you understand the specific auditory processing challenges you're facing and create a personalized treatment plan. Whether you're located in Columbia or anywhere in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, or Florida, we can provide the specialized care you need through either in-person or telehealth services.