Pronounced: AW-dih-tore-ee new-ROP-ah-thee
Auditory neuropathy (AN) occurs when the nerve system of the inner ear fails to process sounds coming from the outer ear. Wrong information gets to the brain. Sounds are present, but words are fuzzy and incomplete. AN can affect any age group, from babies to adults.
During the hearing process, the outer ear sends vibrations to the inner ear. Hair cells in the inner ear break down the vibrations into electrical signals. These are sent to the brain, which filters them as sound. While there is debate about the exact cause of AN, it may be due to:
These factors increase your chance of developing AN:
Tell your doctor if you or your child has any of these risk factors.
If you have any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to AN. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any of these:
The level of hearing loss can vary from mild to severe. But people with AN all share the same problem—they have trouble picking out words. Many cases involve children.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. He will also do a physical exam. Tests may include:
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
Goals of treatment commonly include:
Since the exact cause is unknown, there are no clear ways to prevent this condition. But, these steps may help:
RESOURCES:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
http://www.asha.org/
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists
http://www.caslpa.ca/
Ontario Association for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
http://www.osla.on.ca/
References:
Auditory neuropathy. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders website. Available at: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/neuropathy.asp . Accessed November 18, 2008.
Causes of hearing loss. My Baby’s Hearing website. Available at: http://www.babyhearing.org/HearingAmplification/Causes/Neuropathy.asp . Accessed November 18, 2008.
Cochlear implants. American Academy of Otolaryngology website. Available at: http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/cochlearImplants.cfm . Accessed November 15, 2008.
Hearing loss in babies. University of Virginia Health System website. Available at: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/peds_hrnewborn/hear.cfm . Updated February 2004. Accessed November 15, 2008.
Ototoxicity. American Academy of Otolaryngology website. Available at: http://www.entnet.org/Practice/policyOtotoxicity.cfm . Accessed November 15, 2008.
Stedman’s Medical Dictionary . 28th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005: 180, 1313.
What does an audiologist do? FAQ. University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health Sciences website. Available at: http://cahs.uc.edu/faq/CSD.cfm . Accessed November 16, 2008.
Last reviewed December 2008 by Elie Edmond Rebeiz, MD, FACS
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.