If a child has trouble comprehending instructions, mixes up words with similar pronunciations, or seems disoriented in loud environments, parents may presume that a hearing issue is to blame. However, in certain instances, the issue might not lie with the ears themselves, but instead with a condition known as auditory processing disorder (APD), which affects the way the brain processes sound.
Hearing loss and APD have several of the same symptoms, but they’re really very different conditions that require specific assessments and support. Below, we’ll break down the key differences to help you support your child’s distinct requirements.
Understanding Hearing Impairment: A Definition.
Impaired auditory function, also known as hearing loss, occurs when a person’s capacity to perceive sound is diminished, often resulting from problems affecting the outer, middle, or inner ear.
There are three primary types:
- Conductive hearing loss: Caused by obstructions or damage in the outer or middle ear (including ear infections or wax buildup)
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Happens when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, which is commonly triggered by variables including aging, exposure to loud noise, or hereditary predisposition
- Mixed hearing loss: A mix of conductive and sensorineural types
Doctors usually diagnose patients by carrying out tests such as audiograms, auditory brainstem response testing (ABR), and acoustic emission testing. If a child suffers from hearing loss, the issue lies in their ability to sense sound in the first place.
What Is Auditory Processing Disorder?
APD, on the other hand, is not a hearing problem; it’s a brain-based issue with interpreting sounds. Kids with APD can hear perfectly fine, but they have trouble making sense of what they hear.
It’s often referred to as “perceiving sounds without grasping their meaning.”
Typical challenges faced in everyday situations:
- Trouble following multi-step verbal directions
- Trouble distinguishing similar sounds or words
- Having difficulty concentrating in noisy settings (such as schools or busy eateries)
- Misunderstanding jokes, sarcasm, or figurative language
A basic hearing exam may indicate no problems because the ears are functioning normally. But that doesn’t mean all is functioning as it should. In Auditory Processing Disorder, the issue happens not with hearing the sound itself, but instead with how the brain translates and processes the sound after it has been sensed.
How Testing and Diagnosis Differ
In order to diagnose hearing loss, audiologists use conventional hearing exams that measure sound detection. Identifying Auditory Processing Disorder involves more extensive assessments that extend beyond standard hearing evaluations.
Evaluations frequently involve a multidisciplinary team, including:
- An audiologist to assess auditory processing abilities
- A specialist in speech and language to evaluate understanding and expression skills
- A psychologist should be consulted to identify any hidden attention or learning conditions that may mimic the symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Treatment and Support Options
If your child is diagnosed with hearing loss, treatment may include:
- Hearing aids
- Cochlear implants
- Assistive listening devices
- Medical or surgical interventions
Support for Children with APD Diagnosis Usually Includes:
- 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 distinguish between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder in order to provide your child with the most reliable support and accommodations. If your child appears to have difficulty with listening despite having a normal hearing test, continue to explore further. A deeper look at how they process sound could reveal what’s really going on. Children with the proper diagnosis and customized treatment approach 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.