(Inter)nationally there is discussion about whether auditory processing disorders (APD) should be seen as a unique clinical diagnosis and what is the most appropriate diagnosis and referral of children in this target group. In this context, the Dutch Audiological Centres (AC) have different care pathways for children with so-called unexplained listening difficulties.
The purpose of the current document is to provide professionals with tools to identify, diagnose and treat children with listening difficulties. The Dutch Position Statement Children with Listening Difficulties has been developed based on current scientific evidence of listening difficulties, and based on meetings held with professionals. Professionals in the Dutch Audiological Centres have reached a consensus with the following 9 statements:
Definition:
(1) The target group 'Children with listening difficulties' is not a unique and demonstrable clinical entity.
(2) The problems of children with listening difficulties are multimodal.
(3) The symptoms of children with listening difficulties may also occur in children with other developmental disorders such as AD(H)D, DLD, dyslexia and learning disorders.
Detection and referral:
(4) After detection of listening difficulties, children can be referred to a multidisciplinary centre.
Diagnostics:
(5) When diagnosing a child with listening difficulties, an audiologist, a speech language therapist and a behavioral scientist must be involved.
(6) Listening difficulties are initially mapped using patient history (with client-centred focus) and, if available, a validated questionnaire.
(7) In the case of children with listening difficulties, a speech-in-noise test is always carried out in addition to the pure tone and speech audiometry
(8) The diagnostic procedure for listening difficulties starts from a broad perspective on development.
Therapy:
(9) For children with listening difficulties, intervention is focused on the client’s needs and focuses on action-oriented practice.
This document informs professionals in the Netherlands, who are working with children who are referred because of listening difficulties in the absence of hearing loss, about the current evidence available and about the consensus in the Netherlands.