If a child has difficulty comprehending instructions, mixes up words with similar pronunciations, or appears disoriented in loud environments, parents might suspect that a hearing issue is to blame. But in some cases, the problem might not be with the ears at all: It could be a condition called auditory processing disorder (APD).
Hearing loss and APD have many of the same symptoms, but they’re actually very different conditions that demand specific evaluations and assistance. In this article, we will discover the key distinctions to help you give your child the support they need.
Understanding Hearing Impairment: A Definition.
Impaired auditory function, also called hearing loss, occurs when a person’s ability to sense sound is decreased, often caused by issues affecting the outer, middle, or inner ear.
There are three primary kinds:
- Conductive hearing loss: Happens as a result of blockages or damage in the outer or middle ear, such as ear infections or accumulation of earwax
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Consists of damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, often due to aging, noise exposure, or genetics
- Mixed hearing loss: A mix of conductive and sensorineural types
Doctors normally diagnose patients by conducting tests such as audiograms, auditory brainstem response testing (ABR), and acoustic emission testing. When a child experiences hearing loss, the issue is with their capacity to perceive sound at all.
What Is Auditory Processing Disorder?
In contrast, APD is not associated with hearing difficulties, but instead a neurological problem that impacts 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 often referred to as “perceiving sounds without grasping their meaning.”
Some common challenges include:
- Difficulty following multi-step verbal directions
- Trouble distinguishing similar sounds or words
- Having difficulty focusing in noisy settings (such as schools or busy eateries)
- Having difficulty understanding humor, irony, or expressions that aren’t meant to be taken literally
A basic hearing test might indicate no problems because the ears are functioning normally. But that doesn’t mean all is functioning as it should. 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 Vary
To diagnose hearing loss, audiologists use conventional hearing tests that measure sound detection. Identifying Auditory Processing Disorder involves more extensive assessments that extend beyond basic hearing tests.
Multidisciplinary teams will typically include:
- A hearing specialist to evaluate how the brain senses sound
- A speech-language pathologist to assess language comprehension and communication
- A psychologist should be consulted to determine any underlying attention or learning conditions that may imitate the symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder (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
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
APD vs. Hearing Loss: Concluding Thoughts
It’s important 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 seems to struggle with listening but their hearing test is normal, don’t stop there. The real problem may only be identified by more in-depth assessments. With the correct diagnosis and tailored 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.
