If a child has difficulty comprehending instructions, mixes up words with similar pronunciations, or seems disoriented in loud environments, parents might suspect that a hearing issue is to blame. However, in some instances, the issue might not be with the ears themselves, but instead with a condition called auditory processing disorder (APD), which affects the way the brain deals with sound.
Hearing loss and APD have many of the same symptoms, but they’re actually very different conditions that demand specific assessments and assistance. In this article, we will explore the fundamental 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 an individual’s ability to sense sound is decreased, frequently resulting from problems impacting the outer, middle, or inner ear.
There are three primary kinds:
- Conductive hearing loss: Happens due to obstructions or injury in the outer or middle ear, including ear infections or accumulation of earwax
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, which is commonly triggered by variables such as aging, exposure to loud noise, or genetic predisposition
- Mixed hearing loss: A combination of conductive and sensorineural types
Doctors usually diagnose patients by conducting examinations including audiograms, auditory brainstem response testing (ABR), and acoustic emission testing. When a child experiences hearing loss, the problem is with their capacity to perceive sound at all.
What Is Auditory Processing Disorder?
In contrast, APD is not related to hearing problems, but rather a neurological issue that impacts the brain’s ability to process and understand auditory information. Kids with APD can hear perfectly fine, but they have trouble making sense of what they hear.
It’s commonly referred to as “perceiving sounds without grasping their meaning.”
Some common challenges include:
- Difficulty understanding and carrying out verbal instructions consisting of multiple steps
- Struggling to distinguish between similar sounds or words
- Struggling in loud environments (like classrooms or restaurants)
- Misinterpreting jokes, sarcasm, or figurative language
A basic hearing exam might indicate no issues because the ears are working normally. However, it does not indicate that everything is operating correctly. In APD, the breakdown occurs after sound is detected, during processing in the central auditory nervous system.
How Testing and Diagnosis Differ
In order to diagnose hearing loss, audiologists use traditional hearing exams that assess sound detection. Diagnosing APD, however, calls for specialized testing that exceeds detecting sound.
Multidisciplinary teams will usually include:
- An audiologist to evaluate auditory processing capabilities
- A specialist in speech and language to evaluate understanding and expression skills
- A psychologist should be consulted to determine any underlying attention or learning conditions that may imitate the symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Options for Treatment and Assistance
If your child is diagnosed with hearing loss, treatment might include:
- Hearing aids
- Cochlear implants
- Assistive listening devices
- Medical or surgical interventions
Or, if your child is diagnosed with APD, support usually involves:
- 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 essential to differentiate between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder in order to provide your child with the most reliable assistance and accommodations. If your child appears to have trouble with listening in spite of having a normal hearing test, continue to explore further. The real issue might only be pinpointed by more in-depth assessments. Children with the appropriate diagnosis and personalized treatment approach can excel academically, in their home environment, and in a variety of other aspects of their lives.
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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.