When a child strains to follow directions, confuses words that have similar sounds, or seems distracted in noisy places, parents may wonder if hearing loss is the problem. However, in certain instances, the issue may not be with the ears themselves, but instead with a condition known as auditory processing disorder (APD), which impacts the way the brain processes sound.
Hearing loss and APD have several of the same symptoms, but they’re really very different conditions that require distinct evaluations and assistance. In this article, we will explore the key distinctions to help you give your child the support they need.
What is Hearing Loss?
Impaired auditory function, also known as hearing loss, occurs when a person’s capacity to sense sound is diminished, frequently resulting from problems impacting the outer, middle, or inner ear.
Three key classifications:
- Conductive hearing loss: Caused by blockages or damage in the outer or middle ear (including ear infections or wax accumulation)
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Consists of damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, typically caused by aging, noise exposure, or genetics
- Combination hearing loss: A mix of both outer/middle ear and inner ear issues
Doctors usually diagnose patients by conducting examinations such as audiograms, auditory brainstem response testing (ABR), and acoustic emission testing. If a child suffers from hearing loss, the issue lies in their ability to sense sound in the first place.
What Is Auditory Processing Disorder?
In contrast, APD is not related to hearing problems, but rather a neurological issue that affects the brain’s ability to process and understand auditory information. Children with Auditory Processing Disorder might have normal hearing, but they struggle to decipher and comprehend the sounds they hear.
It’s commonly referred to as “perceiving sounds without grasping their meaning.”
Typical obstacles faced in everyday scenarios:
- Difficulty understanding and executing verbal directions consisting of multiple steps
- Struggling to differentiate between similar sounds or words
- Struggling in loud environments (including classrooms or restaurants)
- Misinterpreting jokes, sarcasm, or figurative language
A standard hearing test may reveal no issues because the ears are working normally. But that doesn’t mean everything is functioning as it should. In APD, the malfunction occurs after sound is detected, during processing in the central auditory nervous system.
How Testing and Diagnosis Differ
Audiologists employ conventional auditory evaluations to identify hearing impairments by assessing an individual’s ability to perceive sound. Diagnosing APD, on the other hand, calls for specialized testing that goes beyond detecting sound.
Multidisciplinary teams will typically include:
- A hearing specialist to evaluate how the brain interprets sound
- A speech-language pathologist to evaluate language comprehension and communication
- A psychologist to rule out attention or learning impairments that may look similar to APD
Treatment and Support Solutions
If your child is diagnosed with hearing loss, treatment might include:
- Hearing aids
- Cochlear implants
- Assistive listening devices
- Medical or surgical interventions
Assistance for Children with APD Diagnosis Usually Includes:
- Speech-language therapy
- Classroom accommodations (e.g., seating changes, written instructions)
- Environmental modifications to reduce background noise
- Auditory processing therapy
Some Concluding Thoughts About Hearing Loss vs. APD
It’s important to distinguish between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder in order to provide your child with the most effective assistance and accommodations. If your child seems to have a hard time listening but their hearing test is normal, don’t stop there. The real problem may only be identified by more in-depth assessments. Children with the appropriate diagnosis and customized treatment strategy can excel academically, in their home environment, and in various other aspects of their lives.
Contact us to find out more
Sources:.
About Hearing Loss in Children|Hearing Loss in Children|CDC.
Auditory processing disorder (APD)– Symptoms and causes– Mayo Clinic.
Auditory Processing Disorder vs. Hearing Loss: Key Differences.
Understanding the Differences: Auditory Processing Disorder vs. Hearing Loss|Hearing.
Associates of Las Vegas.
Auditory Processing Disorder (for Parents)|Nemours KidsHealth.