If a child has difficulty comprehending instructions, mixes up words with similar pronunciations, or appears disoriented in loud surroundings, parents might suspect that a hearing problem 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 have many of the same symptoms, but they’re really very different conditions that require specific assessments and support. Below, we’ll break down the main differences to help you support your child’s unique requirements.
What is Hearing Loss?
Impaired auditory function, also known as hearing loss, happens when an individual’s capacity to perceive sound is diminished, often resulting from problems impacting the outer, middle, or inner ear.
Three key classifications:
- Conductive hearing loss: Caused by blockages or damage in the outer or middle ear (like ear infections or wax accumulation)
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Happens when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, which is typically caused by factors such as aging, exposure to loud noise, or hereditary predisposition
- Combination hearing loss: A mix of both outer/middle ear and inner ear issues
Doctors usually diagnose patients by conducting tests including audiograms, auditory brainstem response testing (ABR), and acoustic emission testing. If a child has hearing loss, the issue lies in their ability to detect sound to begin with.
What Does Auditory Processing Disorder Mean?
In contrast, APD is not associated with hearing difficulties, but instead a neurological problem that affects the brain’s ability to process and understand auditory information. Kids with APD can hear perfectly fine, but they have difficulty making sense of what they hear.
It’s often referred to as “perceiving sounds without grasping their meaning.”
Common challenges faced in everyday situations:
- Trouble following multi-step verbal directions
- Difficulty differentiating similar sounds or words
- Having trouble concentrating in noisy 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 work normally, a conventional hearing test might come back showing no problems. In Auditory Processing Disorder, the issue occurs not with hearing the sound itself, but rather with how the brain translates and processes the sound after it has been detected.
Distinguishing Between Testing and Diagnosis
In order to diagnose hearing loss, audiologists use conventional hearing tests that assess sound detection. Diagnosing APD, on the other hand, calls for specialized testing that exceeds detecting sound.
Evaluations often involve a multidisciplinary team, including:
- An audiologist to evaluate auditory processing abilities
- A specialist in speech and language to evaluate understanding and expression skills
- A psychologist should be consulted to determine any underlying attention or learning disorders that might mimic the symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Treatment and Support Solutions
Treatment approaches for children with hearing loss diagnosis:
- Hearing aids
- Cochlear implants
- Assistive listening devices
- Medical or surgical interventions
Assistance for Children with APD Diagnosis Typically Includes:
- 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 best support. If your child appears to have trouble with listening despite having a normal hearing test, continue to explore further. A deeper look at how they process sound could reveal what’s actually going on. With the right diagnosis and individualized treatment plan, children with either condition can thrive in the classroom, at home, and beyond.
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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.