If a child has difficulty comprehending instructions, mixes up words with similar enunciations, or seems disoriented in loud environments, parents might suspect that a hearing issue is to blame. But in some situations, the issue may not be with the ears at all: It could be a disorder called auditory processing disorder (APD).
Hearing loss and APD have several of the same symptoms, but they’re really very different conditions that demand distinct assessments and assistance. Below, we’ll break down the main differences to help you support your child’s distinct requirements.
Understanding Hearing Impairment: A Definition.
Impaired auditory function, also called hearing loss, happens when an individual’s capacity to perceive sound is decreased, frequently resulting from problems impacting the outer, middle, or inner ear.
There are three main types:
- Conductive hearing loss: Caused by blockages or damage in the outer or middle ear (like ear infections or wax accumulation)
- 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 usually diagnose patients by carrying out examinations including audiograms, auditory brainstem response testing (ABR), and acoustic emission testing. If a child has hearing loss, the issue lies in their ability to sense sound in the first place.
What Does Auditory Processing Disorder Mean?
In contrast, APD is not related to hearing problems, but instead a neurological problem that affects 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 often described as “hearing but not understanding.”
Typical obstacles faced in everyday situations:
- Difficulty understanding and carrying out verbal directions involving numerous steps
- Struggling to distinguish between similar sounds or words
- Struggling in noisy settings (like classrooms or restaurants)
- Having difficulty understanding humor, irony, or expressions that aren’t meant to be taken literally
A basic hearing exam may reveal no issues because the ears are functioning normally. In APD, the malfunction occurs after sound is sensed, during processing in the central auditory nervous system.
Distinguishing Between Testing and Diagnosis
In order to diagnose hearing loss, audiologists use traditional hearing tests that assess sound detection. Identifying Auditory Processing Disorder involves more extensive assessments that go beyond basic hearing evaluations.
Evaluations frequently involve a multidisciplinary team, including:
- An audiologist to assess auditory processing abilities
- A speech-language pathologist to assess language comprehension and communication
- A psychologist to rule out attention or learning impairments that might appear similar to APD
Treatment and Support Options
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 usually involves:
- Speech-language therapy
- Classroom accommodations (e.g., seating changes, written directions)
- Environmental modifications to reduce background noise
- Auditory processing therapy
Some Final 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 trouble with listening despite having a normal hearing test, continue to explore further. A deeper look at how they process sound could expose what’s actually happening. With the correct 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.