When a child struggles to follow instructions, confuses words that have similar sounds, or seems distracted in loud setting, parents might wonder if hearing loss is the problem. However, in some circumstances, the issue might not lie with the ears themselves, but rather with a condition known as auditory processing disorder (APD), which impacts the way the brain processes sound.
Hearing loss and APD have many of the same symptoms, but they’re actually very different conditions that require distinct evaluations and assistance. In this article, we will discover the key distinctions to help you give your child the support they require.
Understanding Hearing Loss: A Definition.
Hearing loss refers to a reduced ability to sense sound, usually caused by problems in the outer, middle, or inner ear.
Three key classifications:
- Conductive hearing loss: Happens due to blockages or injury in the outer or middle ear, including ear infections or accumulation of earwax
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Happens when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, which is typically triggered by variables such as aging, exposure to loud noise, or hereditary predisposition
- Mixed hearing loss: A mix of conductive and sensorineural types
Doctors usually diagnose patients by conducting tests including audiograms, auditory brainstem response testing (ABR), and acoustic emission testing. If a child suffers from hearing loss, the problem lies in their ability to detect sound in the first place.
What Does Auditory Processing Disorder Mean?
APD, conversely, is not a hearing issue; 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 frequently described as “hearing but not understanding.”
Common obstacles faced in everyday situations:
- Trouble following multi-step verbal instructions
- Struggling to distinguish between similar sounds or words
- Having trouble focusing in loud settings (such as schools or busy eateries)
- Misinterpreting jokes, sarcasm, or figurative language
Because the ears are working normally, a conventional hearing test might come back revealing no problems. 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
Audiologists employ standard auditory evaluations to detect hearing impairments by assessing an individual’s ability to perceive sound. Identifying Auditory Processing Disorder involves more in-depth evaluations that extend beyond basic hearing tests.
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 impairments that might look similar to APD
Treatment and Support Solutions
If your child is diagnosed with hearing loss, treatment might 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 instructions)
- Environmental modifications to reduce background noise
- Auditory processing therapy
APD vs. Hearing Loss: Concluding Thoughts
It’s important to differentiate between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder in order to provide your child with the most effective support and accommodations. If your child appears to have trouble with listening in spite of having a normal hearing test, continue to explore further. A deeper look at how they process sound could reveal what’s really happening. Children with the proper diagnosis and personalized 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.