If a child has trouble understanding instructions, mixes up words with similar pronunciations, or appears disoriented in noisy environments, parents might suspect that a hearing problem 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 impacts the way the brain deals with sound.
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 analyze the key differences to help you support your child’s unique needs.
What is Hearing Loss?
Impaired auditory function, also known as hearing loss, occurs when an individual’s ability to sense sound is decreased, frequently caused by problems affecting the outer, middle, or inner ear.
There are three main kinds:
- Conductive hearing loss: Happens as a result of obstructions or damage in the outer or middle ear, such as 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 triggered by variables including aging, exposure to loud noise, or genetic predisposition
- Mixed hearing loss: A mix of conductive and sensorineural types
Doctors normally diagnose patients by carrying out tests including audiograms, auditory brainstem response testing (ABR), and acoustic emission testing. If a child has hearing loss, the problem lies in their ability to detect sound to begin with.
What Does Auditory Processing Disorder Mean?
APD, conversely, is not a hearing issue; it’s a brain-based issue with interpreting sounds. Kids with APD can hear just fine, but they have trouble making sense of what they hear.
It’s frequently described as “hearing but not understanding.”
Some common challenges include:
- Trouble understanding and executing verbal directions involving numerous steps
- Trouble differentiating similar sounds or words
- Having trouble focusing in loud settings (such as schools or busy eateries)
- Having trouble understanding humor, irony, or expressions that aren’t meant to be taken literally
A standard hearing exam may indicate no problems because the ears are working normally. However, it does not indicate that everything is operating properly. 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.
Distinguishing Between Testing and Diagnosis
Audiologists employ conventional auditory evaluations to identify hearing impairments by assessing an individual’s ability to perceive sound. Diagnosing APD, however, calls for specialized testing that exceeds detecting sound.
Evaluations frequently involve a multidisciplinary team, including:
- 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 look similar to APD
Options for Treatment and Assistance
Treatment approaches for children with hearing loss diagnosis:
- Hearing aids
- Cochlear implants
- Assistive listening devices
- Medical or surgical interventions
Assistance for Children with APD Diagnosis Usually Includes:
- Speech-language therapy
- Classroom accommodations (e.g., seating changes, written directions)
- Environmental modifications to reduce background noise
- Auditory processing therapy
APD vs. Hearing Loss: Concluding Thoughts
Understanding the distinction between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder is crucial for getting your child the right help. If your child appears to have trouble with listening despite having a normal hearing test, continue to explore further. The real problem may only be identified by more in-depth evaluations. Children with the proper diagnosis and customized treatment approach can excel 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.
