If a child has trouble understanding instructions, mixes up words with similar pronunciations, or appears disoriented in noisy surroundings, parents may presume that a hearing issue is to blame. However, in certain instances, the problem may not lie with the ears themselves, but rather with a condition known as auditory processing disorder (APD), which impacts the way the brain deals with sound.
Hearing loss and APD share several of the same symptoms, but they’re really very different conditions that require specific evaluations and support. In this article, we will discover the key distinctions to help you give your child the support they require.
Understanding Hearing Loss: A Definition.
Hearing loss refers to a reduced ability to sense sound, usually a result of issues in the outer, middle, or inner ear.
There are three primary kinds:
- Conductive hearing loss: Triggered by blockages or damage in the outer or middle ear (including ear infections or wax buildup)
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Involves damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, often due to aging, noise exposure, or genetics
- Combination hearing loss: A blend of both outer/middle ear and inner ear problems
Doctors normally diagnose patients by carrying out tests such as audiograms, auditory brainstem response testing (ABR), and acoustic emission testing. If a child has hearing loss, the problem lies in their ability to sense sound to begin with.
What Is Auditory Processing Disorder?
In contrast, APD is not associated with hearing problems, but instead a neurological problem that affects the brain’s ability to process and understand auditory information. Kids with APD can hear just fine, but they have trouble making sense of what they hear.
It’s commonly referred to as “perceiving sounds without grasping their meaning.”
Common obstacles faced in everyday situations:
- Trouble understanding and executing verbal instructions consisting of numerous steps
- Difficulty differentiating similar sounds or words
- Struggling in loud environments (including classrooms or restaurants)
- Misinterpreting jokes, sarcasm, or figurative language
A standard hearing exam may reveal no issues because the ears are functioning normally. However, it does not indicate that everything is operating correctly. In Auditory Processing Disorder, the problem occurs not with hearing the sound itself, but instead with how the brain interprets and processes the sound after it has been sensed.
How Testing and Diagnosis Differ
Audiologists utilize standard auditory assessments to identify hearing impairments by evaluating an individual’s ability to perceive sound. Pinpointing Auditory Processing Disorder involves more in-depth evaluations that extend beyond standard hearing evaluations.
Evaluations often involve a multidisciplinary team, including:
- A hearing specialist to evaluate how the brain interprets sound
- A speech-language pathologist to assess language comprehension and communication
- A psychologist to rule out attention or learning differences that might appear similar to APD
Treatment and Support Options
If your child is diagnosed with hearing loss, treatment may 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 directions)
- Environmental modifications to reduce background noise
- Auditory processing therapy
APD vs. Hearing Loss: Concluding Thoughts
It’s essential to distinguish between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder in order to provide your child with the most reliable support and accommodations. If your child appears to have difficulty with listening despite having a normal hearing test, continue to explore further. A more detailed look at how they process sound could expose what’s actually going on. With the right diagnosis and individualized treatment plan, kids with either condition can do well in the classroom, at home, and beyond.
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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.