If a child has trouble understanding directions, mixes up words with similar enunciations, or appears disoriented in loud environments, parents may suspect that a hearing issue is to blame. But in some situations, the problem may not be with the ears at all: It could be a disorder called auditory processing disorder (APD).
Hearing loss and APD share many of the same symptoms, but they’re actually very different conditions that demand specific assessments and assistance. Below, we’ll break down the key differences to help you support your child’s distinct needs.
What is Hearing Loss?
Impaired auditory function, also called hearing loss, occurs when an individual’s ability to perceive sound is diminished, often caused by issues affecting the outer, middle, or inner ear.
There are three primary kinds:
- Conductive hearing loss: Happens due to blockages or damage in the outer or middle ear, such as ear infections or build-up of earwax
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, which is commonly caused by factors such as aging, exposure to loud noise, or genetic predisposition
- Mixed hearing loss: A mix of conductive and sensorineural types
Doctors usually diagnose patients by carrying out examinations 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 to begin with.
What Is Auditory Processing Disorder?
In contrast, APD is not associated with hearing difficulties, but instead a neurological issue that affects the brain’s ability to process and comprehend auditory information. Children with Auditory Processing Disorder may 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 obstacles faced in everyday scenarios:
- Trouble following multi-step verbal instructions
- Trouble distinguishing similar sounds or words
- Struggling in noisy environments (like classrooms or restaurants)
- Misunderstanding jokes, sarcasm, or figurative language
Because the ears work normally, a conventional hearing test might come back showing no problems. In Auditory Processing Disorder, the problem happens not with hearing the sound itself, but rather with how the brain interprets and processes the sound after it has been detected.
How Testing and Diagnosis Vary
To diagnose hearing loss, audiologists use conventional hearing exams that measure sound detection. Identifying Auditory Processing Disorder involves more in-depth assessments that go beyond basic hearing evaluations.
Evaluations frequently involve a multidisciplinary team, including:
- A hearing specialist to assess how the brain senses sound
- A specialist in speech and language to assess understanding and expression skills
- A psychologist should be consulted to determine any hidden attention or learning disorders that might mimic the symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Treatment and Support Solutions
Treatment options for children with hearing loss diagnosis:
- 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 instructions)
- Environmental modifications to reduce background noise
- Auditory processing therapy
Some Concluding Thoughts About Hearing Loss vs. APD
It’s essential to distinguish between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder in order to provide your child with the most effective assistance and accommodations. If your child appears to have trouble with listening in spite of having a normal hearing test, continue to explore further. The real issue may only be identified by more in-depth assessments. Children with the appropriate diagnosis and personalized treatment approach can succeed academically, in their home environment, and in various 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.