If a child has difficulty understanding directions, mixes up words with similar pronunciations, or seems disoriented in noisy surroundings, parents might suspect that a hearing issue is to blame. However, in certain circumstances, the issue might 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.
Although hearing loss and Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) frequently present with comparable signs, they are distinct conditions that necessitate unique assessments and treatments. Below, we’ll analyze the key differences to help you support your child’s distinct needs.
What is Hearing Loss?
Impaired auditory function, also known as hearing loss, occurs when a person’s capacity to sense sound is diminished, often caused by problems impacting the outer, middle, or inner ear.
Three primary classifications:
- Conductive hearing loss: Happens due to blockages or damage in the outer or middle ear, such as ear infections or accumulation of earwax
- 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
Physicians typically make a diagnosis through standard hearing assessments like audiograms, otoacoustic emissions, or auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. If a child has 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 associated with hearing difficulties, but instead a neurological issue that impacts the brain’s ability to process and comprehend auditory information. Kids with APD can hear just fine, but they have trouble making sense of what they hear.
It’s frequently described as “hearing but not understanding.”
Common obstacles faced in everyday situations:
- Trouble understanding and carrying out verbal directions involving multiple steps
- Trouble distinguishing similar sounds or words
- Having difficulty concentrating in loud settings (such as schools or busy eateries)
- Misinterpreting jokes, sarcasm, or figurative language
A basic hearing test might indicate no issues because the ears are functioning normally. In Auditory Processing Disorder, the issue 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 Vary
To diagnose hearing loss, audiologists use conventional hearing tests that assess sound detection. Diagnosing APD, however, calls for specialized testing that goes beyond detecting sound.
Multidisciplinary teams will typically include:
- A hearing specialist to assess how the brain interprets sound
- A specialist in speech and language to assess understanding and expression skills
- A psychologist to rule out attention or learning differences that might appear similar to APD
Approaches for Treatment and Assistance
Treatment approaches for children with hearing loss diagnosis:
- Hearing aids
- Cochlear implants
- Assistive listening devices
- Medical or surgical interventions
Or, if your child is diagnosed with APD, support typically involves:
- Speech-language therapy
- Classroom accommodations (e.g., seating changes, written instructions)
- Environmental modifications to reduce background noise
- Auditory processing therapy
APD vs. Hearing Loss: Final Thoughts
It’s essential to distinguish between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder in order to provide your child with the most effective support 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 may only be identified 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.