When a child strains to follow directions, confuses words that have very similar sounds, or seems distracted in loud places, parents may wonder if hearing loss is the issue. But in some cases, the problem may not be with the ears at all: It could be a condition called auditory processing disorder (APD).
Hearing loss and APD share many of the same symptoms, but they’re really very different conditions that require specific evaluations and assistance. In this article, we will explore the key differences to help you give your child the support they need.
Understanding Hearing Impairment: A Definition.
Impaired auditory function, also known as hearing loss, happens when a person’s capacity to sense sound is diminished, often resulting from issues affecting the outer, middle, or inner ear.
Three primary classifications:
- Conductive hearing loss: Happens as a result of blockages or injury in the outer or middle ear, such as ear infections or build-up of earwax
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Happens 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
- Combination hearing loss: A mix of both outer/middle ear and inner ear problems
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 Does Auditory Processing Disorder Mean?
In contrast, APD is not related to hearing difficulties, but rather a neurological issue 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 often referred to as “perceiving sounds without grasping their meaning.”
Common challenges faced in everyday scenarios:
- Difficulty following multi-step verbal directions
- Struggling to differentiate between similar sounds or words
- Having difficulty concentrating in noisy settings (such as schools or busy eateries)
- Misunderstanding jokes, sarcasm, or figurative language
A basic hearing test might reveal no issues because the ears are working normally. 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
Audiologists employ standard auditory assessments to detect 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 tests.
Evaluations often involve a multidisciplinary team, including:
- An audiologist to assess auditory processing capabilities
- A speech-language pathologist to evaluate language comprehension and communication
- A psychologist to rule out attention or learning differences that may look similar to APD
Approaches 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, assistance usually involves:
- Speech-language therapy
- Classroom accommodations (e.g., seating changes, written directions)
- Environmental modifications to reduce background noise
- Auditory processing therapy
Some Concluding Thoughts About Hearing Loss vs. APD
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 deeper look at how they process sound could reveal what’s actually happening. Children with the proper diagnosis and personalized treatment strategy can excel academically, in their home environment, and in various other aspects of their lives.
Contact us to learn 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.