If a child has trouble comprehending instructions, mixes up words with similar pronunciations, or appears disoriented in loud surroundings, parents might presume that a hearing issue is to blame. However, in some circumstances, the issue may not be with the ears themselves, but instead with a condition called auditory processing disorder (APD), which affects the way the brain processes sound.
Even though hearing loss and Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) often present with comparable signs, they are distinct conditions that require unique analyses and interventions. Below, we’ll break down the key differences to help you support your child’s unique needs.
What is Hearing Loss?
Impaired auditory function, also called hearing loss, takes place when a person’s ability to sense sound is decreased, often caused by problems affecting the outer, middle, or inner ear.
There are three primary kinds:
- Conductive hearing loss: Happens as a result of blockages or injury in the outer or middle ear, including ear infections or accumulation 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 through conventional hearing tests like audiograms, otoacoustic emissions, or auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. When a child experiences hearing loss, the problem is with their ability to perceive sound at all.
What Does Auditory Processing Disorder Mean?
APD, on the other hand, is not a hearing problem; it’s a brain-based problem with deciphering sounds. Children with Auditory Processing Disorder might have normal hearing, but they struggle to decipher and understand the sounds they hear.
It’s often referred to as “perceiving sounds without grasping their meaning.”
Typical challenges faced in everyday scenarios:
- Trouble understanding and carrying out verbal directions consisting of numerous steps
- Struggling to differentiate between similar sounds or words
- Struggling in loud settings (including classrooms or restaurants)
- Having difficulty understanding humor, irony, or expressions that aren’t meant to be taken literally
A basic hearing exam may reveal no issues 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 sensed.
How Testing and Diagnosis Vary
In order to diagnose hearing loss, audiologists use traditional hearing tests that assess sound detection. Identifying Auditory Processing Disorder involves more extensive assessments that go beyond standard hearing evaluations.
Multidisciplinary teams will typically include:
- A hearing specialist to evaluate how the brain senses sound
- A speech-language pathologist to evaluate language comprehension and communication
- A psychologist to rule out attention or learning differences that might appear similar to APD
Treatment and Support Options
Treatment options for children with hearing loss diagnosis:
- Hearing aids
- Cochlear implants
- Assistive listening devices
- Medical or surgical interventions
Support for Children with APD Diagnosis Typically Includes:
- Speech-language therapy
- Classroom accommodations (e.g., seating changes, written instructions)
- 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 trouble with listening in spite of having a normal hearing test, continue to explore further. A more detailed look at how they process sound could expose what’s really happening. With the correct diagnosis and tailored treatment plan, kids 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.