If a child has trouble understanding instructions, mixes up words with similar enunciations, or seems disoriented in loud surroundings, parents may presume that a hearing issue is to blame. However, in some circumstances, the problem may not lie with the ears themselves, but instead with a condition called auditory processing disorder (APD), which impacts the way the brain processes sound.

Hearing loss and APD share many of the same symptoms, but they’re really very different conditions that require specific assessments and support. Below, we’ll analyze the key differences to help you support your child’s distinct requirements.

Understanding Hearing Loss: A Definition.

Impaired auditory function, also known as hearing loss, occurs when a person’s ability to sense sound is diminished, often resulting from issues impacting the outer, middle, or inner ear.

Three key classifications:

• Conductive hearing loss: Caused by blockages or damage in the outer or middle ear (like ear infections or wax accumulation)
• Sensorineural hearing loss: Consists of damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, often caused by aging, noise exposure, or genetics
• Mixed hearing loss: A combination of conductive and sensorineural types

Doctors normally diagnose patients by carrying out examinations such as 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 in the first place.

What Is Auditory Processing Disorder?

In contrast, APD is not associated with hearing problems, but rather a neurological issue that impacts the brain’s ability to process and understand auditory information. 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 obstacles faced in everyday situations:

• Trouble understanding and carrying out verbal directions involving numerous steps
• Difficulty differentiating similar sounds or words
• Having difficulty concentrating in loud settings (such as schools or busy eateries)
• Having difficulty recognizing humor, irony, or expressions that aren’t meant to be taken literally

A basic hearing exam might reveal no problems because the ears are working normally. But that doesn’t mean everything is working as it should. In Auditory Processing Disorder, the issue occurs not with hearing the sound itself, but rather with how the brain interprets and processes the sound after it has been sensed.

Differentiating Between Testing and Diagnosis

In order to diagnose hearing loss, audiologists use traditional hearing exams that measure sound detection. Pinpointing Auditory Processing Disorder involves more extensive assessments that go beyond standard hearing tests.

Evaluations frequently involve a multidisciplinary team, including:

• A hearing specialist to assess how the brain senses sound
• A speech-language pathologist to assess language comprehension and communication
• A psychologist to rule out attention or learning impairments that might appear similar to APD

Options 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

Some Final Thoughts About Hearing Loss vs. APD

It’s essential 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 seems to have a hard time listening but their hearing test is normal, don’t stop there. A deeper look at how they process sound could reveal what’s actually going on. Children with the proper diagnosis and customized treatment approach can excel academically, in their home environment, and in various other aspects of their lives.

For more information, give us a call.

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.