When a child struggles to follow instructions, confuses words that have similar sounds, or seems distracted in loud places, parents may question if hearing loss is the issue. However, in certain circumstances, the problem may not be with the ears themselves, but rather with a condition known as auditory processing disorder (APD), which affects the way the brain deals with sound.
Hearing loss and APD share many of the same symptoms, but they’re actually very different conditions that demand specific assessments and assistance. In this article, we will discover the key distinctions to help you give your child the support they require.
What is Hearing Loss?
Impaired auditory function, also called hearing loss, occurs when an individual’s ability to sense sound is diminished, often resulting from issues impacting the outer, middle, or inner ear.
There are three primary kinds:
- Conductive hearing loss: Triggered by blockages or damage in the outer or middle ear (including ear infections or wax accumulation)
- 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
Physicians typically make a diagnosis through standard hearing tests like audiograms, otoacoustic emissions, or auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. When a child experiences hearing loss, the problem is with their ability to perceive sound at all.
What Does Auditory Processing Disorder Mean?
APD, on the other hand, is not a hearing problem; it’s a brain-based issue with interpreting sounds. Children with Auditory Processing Disorder may have normal hearing, but they struggle to decipher and understand the sounds they hear.
It’s commonly referred to as “perceiving sounds without grasping their meaning.”
Some common challenges include:
- Difficulty understanding and executing verbal instructions involving numerous steps
- Difficulty differentiating similar sounds or words
- Having difficulty concentrating in loud 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 working normally. In Auditory Processing Disorder, the problem happens not with hearing the sound itself, but rather with how the brain translates and processes the sound after it has been sensed.
How Testing and Diagnosis Differ
In order to diagnose hearing loss, audiologists use conventional hearing exams that assess sound detection. Diagnosing APD, on the other hand, calls for specialized testing that exceeds detecting sound.
Multidisciplinary teams will usually include:
- A hearing specialist to evaluate how the brain interprets sound
- A specialist in speech and language to evaluate understanding and expression skills
- A psychologist to rule out attention or learning impairments that may look similar to APD
Options 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, 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 differentiate between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder in order to provide your child with the most effective assistance and accommodations. If your child seems to have a hard time listening but their hearing test is normal, don’t stop there. The real problem might only be pinpointed by more in-depth assessments. Children with the appropriate diagnosis and customized 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.