If a child has trouble understanding instructions, mixes up words with similar pronunciations, or seems disoriented in noisy environments, parents may presume that a hearing issue is to blame. However, in certain instances, the issue might not be with the ears themselves, but rather with a condition known as auditory processing disorder (APD), which impacts the way the brain deals with sound.
Although hearing loss and Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) frequently present with similar signs, they are distinct conditions that require unique assessments and interventions. Below, we’ll analyze the key differences to help you support your child’s unique needs.
Understanding Hearing Loss: A Definition.
Impaired auditory function, also called hearing loss, happens when an individual’s capacity to sense sound is diminished, often caused by issues affecting the outer, middle, or inner ear.
Three primary classifications:
- Conductive hearing loss: Occurs due to blockages or damage in the outer or middle ear, including ear infections or build-up of earwax
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Involves damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, typically due to aging, noise exposure, or genetics
- Combination hearing loss: A mix of both outer/middle ear and inner ear issues
Doctors normally diagnose patients by carrying out examinations such as audiograms, auditory brainstem response testing (ABR), and acoustic emission testing. When a child experiences hearing loss, the issue is with their ability to perceive sound at all.
What Does Auditory Processing Disorder Mean?
In contrast, APD is not related to hearing problems, but instead a neurological problem that impacts 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 comprehend the sounds they hear.
It’s commonly referred to as “perceiving sounds without grasping their meaning.”
Some common challenges include:
- Difficulty following multi-step verbal instructions
- Struggling to distinguish between similar sounds or words
- Having difficulty focusing in loud settings (such as schools or busy eateries)
- Misunderstanding jokes, sarcasm, or figurative language
Because the ears work normally, a conventional hearing test might come back revealing no issues. But that doesn’t mean all is functioning as it should. In APD, the breakdown happens after sound is detected, during processing in the central auditory nervous system.
How Testing and Diagnosis Vary
Audiologists employ conventional auditory evaluations to detect hearing impairments by evaluating an individual’s ability to sense sound. Pinpointing Auditory Processing Disorder involves more extensive assessments that go beyond standard hearing tests.
Evaluations frequently 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 impairments that might look similar to APD
Treatment and Support Options
Treatment options 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, assistance typically involves:
- Speech-language therapy
- Classroom accommodations (e.g., seating changes, written directions)
- Environmental modifications to reduce background noise
- Auditory processing therapy
APD vs. Hearing Loss: Concluding Thoughts
Understanding the difference between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder is crucial for getting your child the right support. If your child seems to struggle with listening but their hearing test is normal, don’t stop there. The real issue may only be identified by more in-depth assessments. With the correct diagnosis and tailored treatment plan, children with either condition can do well in the classroom, at home, and beyond.
For more information, give us a call.
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.
