Groupe Forget - Polyclinique de l'Oreille

What is the difference between ADD and APD?

A person with an attention deficit disorder (ADD) may have the same reactions and behaviours as someone with an auditory processing disorder (APD). This can include:

  • displaying erratic moods,
  • asking people to repeat what was said,
  • being easily distracted in noisy situations,
  • confusing words or sentences,
  • not responding to their name,
  • and so on.

Although it is possible for a person to have both of these disorders, there are some differences between them. ADD is a global deficit in which comprehension and/or concentration can be affected in many different spheres (hearing, touch, vision, etc.).

As for an APD, it mainly depends on the individual’s hearing capacity and their sound environment. For example, background noise will affect comprehension in a person with an APD, but visual stimulation will not have that effect.

When it is not clear whether a person has an APD and/or ADD, a visit to an audiologist is recommended.

The professional will first make sure that the person’s peripheral auditory system is normal (absence of hearing loss) and will then conduct a battery of tests to assess the auditory processing capacities.

Given the similarities between an APD and ADD, it’s helpful to take a multidisciplinary approach in order to confirm the diagnosis or diagnoses (e.g., with input from a neuropsychologist, psychologist, family doctor, etc.).

If you have any questions about your hearing or that of a loved one, our hearing health professionals will be happy to answer them.

BY Jenny Turcotte, Audiologist, Polyclinique de l’Oreille