If a child has trouble comprehending directions, mixes up words with similar enunciations, or appears disoriented in loud environments, parents may suspect that a hearing issue is to blame. However, in certain circumstances, the problem might not be with the ears themselves, but rather with a condition known as auditory processing disorder (APD), which impacts the way the brain deals with sound.
Even though hearing loss and Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) often present with similar signs, they are distinct conditions that necessitate unique analyses and interventions. In this article, we will explore the key differences to help you give your child the support they require.
Comprehending Hearing Loss: A Definition.
Hearing loss describes a reduced ability to detect sound, often caused by issues in the outer, middle, or inner ear.
Three primary classifications:
- Conductive hearing loss: Triggered by obstructions or damage in the outer or middle ear (like ear infections or wax buildup)
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, which is typically triggered by factors 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 tests like audiograms, otoacoustic emissions, or auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. When a child experiences hearing loss, the issue is with their capacity to perceive sound at all.
What Does Auditory Processing Disorder Mean?
In contrast, APD is not associated with hearing problems, but instead a neurological problem that impacts the brain’s ability to process and comprehend auditory information. Kids with APD can hear perfectly fine, but they have trouble making sense of what they hear.
It’s often described as “hearing but not understanding.”
Some common challenges include:
- Difficulty understanding and carrying out verbal directions consisting of numerous steps
- Trouble distinguishing similar sounds or words
- Struggling in loud environments (like classrooms or restaurants)
- Having difficulty understanding humor, irony, or expressions that aren’t meant to be taken literally
Because the ears work normally, a conventional hearing test may come back revealing no issues. However, it does not indicate that everything is operating correctly. In Auditory Processing Disorder, the issue occurs not with hearing the sound itself, but instead with how the brain translates and processes the sound after it has been sensed.
Distinguishing Between Testing and Diagnosis
To diagnose hearing loss, audiologists use traditional hearing exams that assess sound detection. Diagnosing APD, however, calls for specialized testing that goes beyond detecting sound.
Multidisciplinary teams will typically include:
- 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)
Approaches for Treatment and Assistance
If your child is diagnosed with hearing loss, treatment may include:
- Hearing aids
- Cochlear implants
- Assistive listening devices
- Medical or surgical interventions
Or, if your child is diagnosed with APD, assistance usually involves:
- Speech-language therapy
- Classroom accommodations (e.g., seating changes, written directions)
- Environmental modifications to reduce background noise
- Auditory processing therapy
APD vs. Hearing Loss: Final Thoughts
It’s essential to differentiate between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder in order to provide your child with the most reliable assistance and accommodations. If your child appears to have difficulty with listening in spite of having a normal hearing test, continue to explore further. A deeper look at how they process sound could expose what’s actually going on. Children with the appropriate diagnosis and personalized treatment strategy 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.