If a child has difficulty understanding instructions, mixes up words with similar enunciations, or seems disoriented in noisy surroundings, parents might suspect that a hearing issue is to blame. But in some cases, the issue might not be with the ears at all: It could be a disorder called auditory processing disorder (APD).
Hearing loss and APD share many of the same symptoms, but they’re actually very different conditions that require specific evaluations and support. Below, we’ll analyze the key differences to help you support your child’s distinct requirements.
What is Hearing Loss?
Impaired auditory function, also called hearing loss, takes place when a person’s capacity to perceive sound is diminished, often resulting from issues impacting the outer, middle, or inner ear.
Three key classifications:
- Conductive hearing loss: Occurs as a result of blockages or injury in the outer or middle ear, including ear infections or build-up of earwax
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, which is commonly caused by factors including aging, exposure to loud noise, or hereditary predisposition
- Combination hearing loss: A mix of both outer/middle ear and inner ear problems
Physicians usually make a diagnosis through conventional hearing assessments like audiograms, otoacoustic emissions, or auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. When a child experiences hearing loss, the issue is with their capacity to perceive sound at all.
What Does Auditory Processing Disorder Mean?
APD, conversely, is not a hearing issue; it’s a brain-based issue with deciphering sounds. Children with Auditory Processing Disorder might have normal hearing, but they struggle to interpret and comprehend the sounds they hear.
It’s often referred to as “perceiving sounds without grasping their meaning.”
Some common challenges include:
- Trouble following multi-step verbal directions
- Struggling to differentiate between similar sounds or words
- Having trouble concentrating in loud settings (such as schools or busy eateries)
- Having difficulty recognizing humor, irony, or expressions that aren’t meant to be taken literally
Because the ears are working normally, a conventional hearing test may come back revealing no problems. In Auditory Processing Disorder, the issue occurs not with hearing the sound itself, but instead with how the brain translates and processes the sound after it has been sensed.
How Testing and Diagnosis Vary
In order to diagnose hearing loss, audiologists use traditional hearing tests that assess sound detection. Pinpointing Auditory Processing Disorder involves more in-depth evaluations that extend beyond standard hearing evaluations.
Evaluations frequently involve a multidisciplinary team, including:
- An audiologist to evaluate auditory processing abilities
- A speech-language pathologist to assess language comprehension and communication
- A psychologist should be consulted to identify any hidden attention or learning conditions that may imitate the symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Treatment and Support Solutions
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 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 distinction 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 problem might only be pinpointed by more in-depth assessments. Children with the appropriate diagnosis and customized treatment approach can succeed academically, in their home environment, and in various 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.