If a child has difficulty understanding instructions, mixes up words with similar enunciations, or appears disoriented in loud surroundings, parents might presume that a hearing issue is to blame. But in some situations, the issue may 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 actually very different conditions that require specific assessments and assistance. Below, we’ll analyze the key differences to help you support your child’s distinct requirements.
Comprehending Hearing Loss: A Definition.
Impaired auditory function, also called hearing loss, occurs when a person’s ability to perceive sound is diminished, frequently resulting from problems affecting the outer, middle, or inner ear.
There are three main types:
- Conductive hearing loss: Triggered by blockages or damage in the outer or middle ear (including ear infections or wax accumulation)
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, which is typically triggered by variables including aging, exposure to loud noise, or genetic predisposition
- Combination hearing loss: A blend of both outer/middle ear and inner ear problems
Physicians usually make a diagnosis through standard hearing tests like audiograms, otoacoustic emissions, or auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. When a child experiences hearing loss, the issue is with their ability to perceive sound at all.
What Does Auditory Processing Disorder Mean?
APD, on the other hand, is not a hearing issue; it’s a brain-based problem with deciphering sounds. Kids with APD can hear just fine, but they have difficulty making sense of what they hear.
It’s frequently described as “hearing but not understanding.”
Some common challenges include:
- Trouble following multi-step verbal directions
- Difficulty distinguishing similar sounds or words
- Having difficulty focusing in loud settings (such as schools or busy eateries)
- Misunderstanding jokes, sarcasm, or figurative language
A basic hearing exam might indicate no problems because the ears are functioning normally. 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
Audiologists utilize conventional auditory evaluations to detect hearing impairments by assessing an individual’s ability to sense sound. Pinpointing Auditory Processing Disorder involves more extensive evaluations that go beyond standard hearing evaluations.
Multidisciplinary teams will typically include:
- An audiologist to evaluate auditory processing abilities
- A specialist in speech and language to assess understanding and expression skills
- A psychologist to rule out attention or learning differences that may look similar to APD
Approaches 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
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
Some Concluding Thoughts About Hearing Loss vs. APD
Understanding the difference between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder is essential for getting your child the right help. If your child appears to have difficulty with listening in spite of having a normal hearing test, continue to explore further. The real issue might only be identified by more in-depth evaluations. With the right diagnosis and tailored treatment plan, kids with either condition can thrive 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.