If a child has trouble understanding directions, 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 problem may not be with the ears at all: It could be a condition called auditory processing disorder (APD).
Even though hearing loss and Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) often present with similar signs, they are distinct conditions that require unique analyses and interventions. Below, we’ll analyze the main differences to help you support your child’s unique needs.
Comprehending Hearing Impairment: A Definition.
Hearing loss refers to a decreased ability to detect sound, often caused by problems in 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, 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 genetic predisposition
- Mixed hearing loss: A mix of conductive and sensorineural types
Physicians typically make a diagnosis via standard hearing assessments 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?
APD, conversely, is not a hearing issue; it’s a brain-based issue with deciphering sounds. Kids with APD can hear just fine, but they have difficulty making sense of what they hear.
It’s commonly referred to as “perceiving sounds without grasping their meaning.”
Typical challenges faced in everyday scenarios:
- Trouble following multi-step verbal directions
- 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
Because the ears are working normally, a standard hearing test might come back revealing no problems. However, it does not mean that everything is operating properly. 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.
Distinguishing Between Testing and Diagnosis
Audiologists utilize standard auditory assessments to identify hearing impairments by evaluating an individual’s ability to sense sound. Identifying Auditory Processing Disorder involves more extensive assessments that go beyond standard hearing evaluations.
Multidisciplinary teams will usually include:
- A hearing specialist to assess how the brain senses sound
- A speech-language pathologist to assess language comprehension and communication
- A psychologist should be consulted to identify any hidden attention or learning disorders that may imitate the symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Treatment and Support Solutions
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 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
Understanding the difference between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder is crucial for getting your child the best support. If your child appears to have difficulty with listening despite having a normal hearing test, continue to explore further. A more detailed look at how they process sound could reveal what’s actually going on. Children with the proper diagnosis and personalized treatment approach can excel 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.
