When a child strains to follow directions, confuses words that have very similar sounds, or seems distracted in loud setting, parents might wonder if hearing loss is the issue. But in some cases, the issue may not be with the ears at all: It could be a condition called auditory processing disorder (APD).

Hearing loss and APD share several of the same symptoms, but they’re actually very different conditions that demand distinct assessments and assistance. In this article, we will explore the fundamental differences to help you give your child the support they need.

What is Hearing Loss?

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

There are three main kinds:

• Conductive hearing loss: Occurs as a result of blockages or injury in the outer or middle ear, such as ear infections or accumulation of earwax
• Sensorineural hearing loss: Consists of damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, typically due to aging, noise exposure, or genetics
• Combination hearing loss: A mix of both outer/middle ear and inner ear issues

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 sense sound in the first place.

What Is Auditory Processing Disorder?

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 difficulty making sense of what they hear.
It’s often described as “hearing but not understanding.”

Some common challenges include:

• Trouble understanding and executing verbal directions consisting of multiple steps
• Difficulty differentiating similar sounds or words
• Struggling in loud environments (like classrooms or restaurants)
• Misunderstanding jokes, sarcasm, or figurative language

Because the ears work normally, a standard hearing test may come back revealing no issues. However, it does not indicate that everything is operating correctly. In APD, the malfunction happens after sound is sensed, during processing in the central auditory nervous system.

How Testing and Diagnosis Vary

In order to diagnose hearing loss, audiologists use traditional hearing tests that assess sound detection. Diagnosing APD, on the other hand, requires specialized testing that goes beyond detecting sound.

Multidisciplinary teams will typically include:

• A hearing specialist to evaluate how the brain interprets sound
• A specialist in speech and language to assess understanding and expression skills
• A psychologist should be consulted to identify any underlying attention or learning conditions that might imitate the symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

Approaches for Treatment and Assistance

Treatment options for children with hearing loss diagnosis:

• Hearing aids
• Cochlear implants
• Assistive listening devices
• Medical or surgical interventions

Support for Children with APD Diagnosis Usually Includes:

• Speech-language therapy
• Classroom accommodations (e.g., seating changes, written instructions)
• Environmental modifications to reduce background noise
• Auditory processing therapy

APD vs. Hearing Loss: Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder is essential for getting your child the right help. 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 happening. Children with the appropriate diagnosis and customized treatment approach can excel academically, in their home environment, and in a variety of other aspects of their lives.

Contact us to learn more

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.