If a child has difficulty comprehending instructions, mixes up words with similar enunciations, or appears disoriented in loud environments, parents might presume that a hearing problem is to blame. However, in certain circumstances, the issue may not lie with the ears themselves, but rather with a condition called auditory processing disorder (APD), which affects the way the brain deals with sound.
Hearing loss and APD share many of the same symptoms, but they’re actually very different conditions that require specific evaluations and assistance. In this article, we will explore the fundamental differences to help you give your child the support they require.
Comprehending Hearing Loss: A Definition.
Hearing loss refers to a decreased ability to sense sound, usually caused by issues in the outer, middle, or inner ear.
There are three primary types:
- Conductive hearing loss: Triggered 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 variables including aging, exposure to loud noise, or genetic predisposition
- Mixed hearing loss: A combination of conductive and sensorineural types
Physicians usually 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 problem lies in their ability to sense sound in the first place.
What Is Auditory Processing Disorder?
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 trouble making sense of what they hear.
It’s often referred to as “perceiving sounds without grasping their meaning.”
Common obstacles faced in everyday situations:
- Trouble understanding and carrying out verbal instructions involving multiple steps
- Trouble differentiating similar sounds or words
- Having trouble focusing in noisy 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. But that doesn’t mean all is working as it should. In Auditory Processing Disorder, the problem happens not with hearing the sound itself, but instead with how the brain translates and processes the sound after it has been detected.
Differentiating Between Testing and Diagnosis
Audiologists employ conventional auditory evaluations to detect hearing impairments by evaluating an individual’s ability to sense sound. Identifying Auditory Processing Disorder involves more in-depth assessments that go beyond basic hearing evaluations.
Multidisciplinary teams will typically include:
- 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 identify any underlying attention or learning disorders that may imitate the symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Options for Treatment and Assistance
If your child is diagnosed with hearing loss, treatment might include:
- 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 essential 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. A more detailed look at how they process sound could reveal what’s actually happening. With the correct diagnosis and individualized treatment plan, kids 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.