When a child strains to follow instructions, confuses words that have similar sounds, or seems distracted in noisy setting, parents might question if hearing loss is the issue. However, in certain circumstances, the issue may not lie with the ears themselves, but instead with a condition called auditory processing disorder (APD), which impacts the way the brain deals with sound.
Hearing loss and APD have several of the same symptoms, but they’re really very different conditions that require distinct assessments and assistance. Below, we’ll break down the key differences to help you support your child’s unique requirements.
What is Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss refers to a decreased ability to sense sound, usually caused by issues in the outer, middle, or inner ear.
Three primary classifications:
- Conductive hearing loss: Happens as a result of blockages or injury in the outer or middle ear, such as ear infections or accumulation of earwax
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Involves 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
Doctors usually diagnose patients by conducting examinations including audiograms, auditory brainstem response testing (ABR), and acoustic emission testing. If a child has hearing loss, the problem lies in their ability to sense sound in the first place.
What Does Auditory Processing Disorder Mean?
In contrast, APD is not associated with hearing problems, but rather a neurological issue that impacts 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.”
Typical obstacles faced in everyday situations:
- Difficulty understanding and carrying out verbal directions consisting of numerous steps
- Struggling to differentiate between similar sounds or words
- Having trouble focusing in loud settings (such as schools or busy eateries)
- Having trouble recognizing humor, irony, or expressions that aren’t meant to be taken literally
Because the ears are working normally, a standard hearing test may come back revealing no problems. However, it does not indicate that everything is operating properly. In APD, the malfunction happens after sound is sensed, during processing in the central auditory nervous system.
Distinguishing Between Testing and Diagnosis
To diagnose hearing loss, audiologists use traditional hearing tests that measure sound detection. Identifying Auditory Processing Disorder involves more extensive assessments that extend beyond standard hearing tests.
Evaluations often involve a multidisciplinary team, including:
- An audiologist to assess auditory processing capabilities
- A specialist in speech and language to evaluate understanding and expression skills
- A psychologist should be consulted to identify any hidden attention or learning disorders that might imitate the symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Options for Treatment and Assistance
If your child is diagnosed with hearing loss, treatment may 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 instructions)
- Environmental modifications to reduce background noise
- Auditory processing therapy
Some Concluding Thoughts About Hearing Loss vs. APD
It’s important to differentiate between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder in order to provide your child with the most effective support 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 may only be pinpointed by more in-depth evaluations. Children with the appropriate diagnosis and customized treatment strategy can succeed 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.