Can hearing loss cause hyperactivity?

Yes. When the auditory input is weak, the brain seeks stimulation elsewhere, appearing as restlessness or impulsive behavior.

What age should children be screened?

**Newborn**: universal screening at birth. **Toddler**: if speech delay is noticed. **School-age**: every 1–2 years or sooner if attention or learning issues arise.

How long does the evaluation take?

Initial screening: 10 minutes. Full assessment: 45–60 minutes. We schedule everything in one visit to minimize school absence.

Will my child need sedation?

Rarely. Most children respond well to play-based testing; sedation is reserved for infants under 6 months or special-needs cases.

Does insurance cover the tests?

Yes. Our team files cashless claims with major insurers and provides an all-inclusive package for out-of-network families.

Does Cadabam's offer remote audiology consultations or support related to ADHD concerns?

Cadabam's offers tele-consultations for initial discussions about concerns related to listening, hearing, and their potential overlap with ADHD. While comprehensive hearing tests and APD assessments require in-person visits due to specialized equipment, follow-up discussions, strategy planning, and monitoring incorporating the **audiologist perspective on ADHD** can often be facilitated remotely. Please contact us to discuss available tele-health options.

Audiologist Perspective on ADHD & Hearing Loss: What Every Parent Should Know

When a child struggles to focus in class or “zones out” during conversation, most parents first think of ADHD. Yet an audiologist-perspective-on-ADHD shows that up to 12 % of children diagnosed with ADHD actually have undetected hearing loss or auditory processing issues. At Cadabams CDC, our audiologists work side-by-side with developmental pediatricians to separate the two conditions and give families the right support from day one.

1. Why an Audiologist’s View Matters for ADHD Concerns

An audiologist for ADHD brings a crucial perspective when a child struggles with attention. Often, what looks like an attention problem is rooted in an undiagnosed hearing issue.

Overlap of symptoms between ADHD and hearing loss

Inattention – both hearing loss and ADHD make it hard to follow directions.
Frequent “huh?” or “what?” – often mistaken for distractibility.
Appears to ignore others – can be a hearing problem, not defiance.

Statistics on misdiagnosis rates

Research shows:

12 % of children with hearing loss are mislabeled as having ADHD.
Only 3.6 % of children with normal hearing receive the ADHD diagnosis.

How undetected hearing issues amplify attention deficits

When the brain must work overtime to decode faint or distorted sounds, less energy is left for memory, impulse control, and sustained attention. Treating the hearing issue can cut the need for ADHD treatment or reduce the required dosage.

2. Common Signs: ADHD or Hearing Loss?

Distinguishing between the symptoms of ADHD and hearing loss signs is the first step toward the right support.

Attention red flags that point to hearing problems

Turns up TV or tablet volume louder than siblings prefer.
Struggles most when speakers face away or in background noise.
Better focus in one-on-one settings than noisy classrooms.

Speech & language delays vs impulsivity

The line between ADHD vs. speech and language impairments can be blurry.

Hearing Loss Signs	ADHD Signs
Unclear pronunciation, limited vocabulary	Talks excessively, interrupts
Says “I didn’t hear you” often	Says “I forgot” more than “I didn’t hear”

Classroom & playground behaviors to watch

Teacher reports: child sits near the speaker, still misses instructions.
Peers notice: child doesn’t respond to name on the playground.
At home: follows multi-step directions only if you stand close and repeat.

3. Our Step-by-Step Audiologist Evaluation Process

Our comprehensive assessment for ADHD and related concerns ensures no stone is left unturned.

Initial hearing screening (10-min)

A quick, game-like test in a sound-treated booth that measures the softest tones your child can hear.

Comprehensive audiological assessment

Pure-tone audiometry across speech frequencies.
Speech-in-noise testing to mimic classroom conditions.
Tympanometry to rule out middle-ear fluid.
Auditory processing screening if hearing is normal but listening difficulties persist. This helps differentiate from conditions like ADHD vs sensory processing disorder.

Collaborative review with developmental pediatrician

Cadabams CDC’s audiologist shares results the same day with our in-house developmental pediatrics for ADHD team. Together we map out whether the next step is hearing aids, auditory training, or ADHD-targeted interventions—or a combination of all three.

4. Treatment Pathways After Diagnosis

Hearing aids & FM systems for true hearing loss

Modern pediatric hearing aids are tiny, colorful, and Bluetooth-enabled. FM systems bring the teacher’s voice directly into your child’s ears, cutting classroom noise by 30-40 %. Our audiology for ADHD services will guide you through the best options.

Auditory training programs for processing disorders

Interactive computer games and therapist-guided tasks strengthen:

Sound discrimination.
Auditory memory.
Figure-ground listening.

Integrated ADHD therapy plans (CBT, OT, parent training)

If ADHD co-exists, Cadabams CDC layers on a variety of therapy for ADHD:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for focus skills.
Occupational Therapy (OT) to refine sensory processing.
Parent training sessions to reinforce strategies at home, part of our parental support for ADHD programs.

5. Success Stories: From Misdiagnosis to Milestones

Case study: 7-year-old previously labeled ADHD

Arjun’s teachers reported “constant daydreaming.” Our audiology team found mild high-frequency hearing loss undetected in his newborn screen. After three months with hearing aids plus focused auditory training, his report card jumped from Cs to As.

Parent testimonial snippet

“We were shocked—no amount of ADHD treatment helped because the real issue was hearing. Cadabams CDC’s team treated the whole child, not just the label.” – Mrs. Patel, Bangalore

Outcome metrics

45 % improvement in standardized listening-comprehension scores.
60 % reduction in parent stress index.
Playground participation rose from occasional to daily.