If a child has difficulty comprehending directions, mixes up words with similar enunciations, or seems disoriented in noisy surroundings, parents may suspect that a hearing issue is to blame. However, in some instances, the issue might not be with the ears themselves, but instead with a condition known as auditory processing disorder (APD), which affects the way the brain deals with sound.
Even though hearing loss and Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) often present with similar signs, they are distinct conditions that necessitate unique assessments and treatments. In this article, we will explore the key distinctions to help you give your child the support they need.
What is Hearing Loss?
Impaired auditory function, also known as hearing loss, happens when an individual’s capacity to sense sound is diminished, often resulting from problems affecting the outer, middle, or inner ear.
Three primary classifications:
- Conductive hearing loss: Happens as a result of obstructions or injury in the outer or middle ear, such as ear infections or accumulation of earwax
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, which is typically triggered by variables such as aging, exposure to loud noise, or genetic predisposition
- Mixed hearing loss: A combination of conductive and sensorineural types
Physicians usually make a diagnosis through standard hearing tests like audiograms, otoacoustic emissions, or auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. If a child suffers from hearing loss, the issue lies in their ability to sense sound to begin with.
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 comprehend auditory information. Children with Auditory Processing Disorder may have normal hearing, but they struggle to decipher and understand the sounds they hear.
It’s often described as “hearing but not understanding.”
Some common challenges include:
- Trouble following multi-step verbal instructions
- Struggling to distinguish between similar sounds or words
- Struggling in loud settings (like classrooms or restaurants)
- Misinterpreting jokes, sarcasm, or figurative language
Because the ears work normally, a standard hearing test might come back revealing no issues. In APD, the malfunction occurs after sound is sensed, during processing in the central auditory nervous system.
How Testing and Diagnosis Vary
Audiologists utilize standard auditory evaluations to detect hearing impairments by evaluating an individual’s ability to perceive sound. Identifying Auditory Processing Disorder involves more extensive evaluations that extend beyond basic hearing evaluations.
Multidisciplinary teams will typically include:
- A hearing specialist to assess how the brain senses sound
- A speech-language pathologist to evaluate language comprehension and communication
- A psychologist to rule out attention or learning impairments that might appear similar to APD
Options for Treatment and Assistance
Treatment approaches for children with hearing loss diagnosis:
- Hearing aids
- Cochlear implants
- Assistive listening devices
- Medical or surgical interventions
Support 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
Some Concluding Thoughts About Hearing Loss vs. APD
Understanding the difference between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder is essential for getting your child the best help. If your child seems to have a hard time listening but their hearing test is normal, don’t stop there. The real issue might only be identified by more in-depth evaluations. Children with the appropriate diagnosis and personalized treatment strategy can succeed 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.