The topic I was asked to address was, "How does basic science show that central auditory processing is critical to audition?", and I have tried to do so from the point of view of the field in which I work, psychoacoustics. In preparing these remarks, I have also tried to keep in mind the purpose of this conference, "...a consensus validation program to develop a report that includes 'statements of consensus' on best practices related to the diagnosis and treatment of central auditory processing disorders (CAPD)." I have assumed that the goal of the conference is not simply to provide some face validity for current diagnostic and treatment practices, and theories of CAPD, but rather to critically question everything about those practices and theories, in the hopes of arriving at the most valid possible clinical services.