eMedicine Specialties > Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery > Audiology

Auditory Neuropathy: Follow-up

Author: Wayne T Shaia, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Otology/Neurotology, Medical College of Virginia
Coauthor(s): Dennis I Bojrab, MD, Chairman of Otolaryngology, William Beaumont Hospital; Director of Skull Base Surgery, Providence Hospital; Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University; Jason G May, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Harper Hospital/Wayne State University School of Medicine
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Aug 27, 2009

Follow-up

Patient Education

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Ear, Nose, and Throat Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Hearing Loss.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

With the recent advent of newborn hearing screening, the prevalence and awareness of pediatric hearing loss has increased. Currently, all states are trying to identify, in the neonatal period, newborns with hearing loss. Although not mandated by every state, efforts for every child to receive newborn hearing screening prior to discharge from the hospital is proposed. The most cost-effective means of measurement for hospitals has been to incorporate the otoacoustic emission (OAE) testing for all neonates. This testing is inexpensive and will detect the majority of neonates with congential hearing loss.

Although most forms of hearing loss can be identified with OAE testing, auditory neuropathy/auditory dyssynchrony (AN/AD) clearly cannot. The preservation of outer hair cell function in children with AN/AD generates a normal OAE response. This can mislead parents and physicians. Subsequently a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of AN/AD in children can result. To identify these children properly, auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing needs to be performed. A high clinical suspicion is necessary to help with early identification and treatment of all children with hearing loss, especially those with AN/AD. Use caution when accepting that a child passed the newborn hearing screening test; understand which test was performed.

 


More on Auditory Neuropathy

Overview: Auditory Neuropathy
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Auditory Neuropathy
Treatment & Medication: Auditory Neuropathy
Follow-up: Auditory Neuropathy
Multimedia: Auditory Neuropathy
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

auditory neuropathy, auditory dyssynchrony, AD, AN, AN/AD, AD/AN, central processing disorder, pediatric hearing loss, hearing loss, cochlear implants, otoacoustic emissions, Friedrich ataxia, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome, hyperbilirubinemia, anoxia, hypoxia

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Wayne T Shaia, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Otology/Neurotology, Medical College of Virginia
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Dennis I Bojrab, MD, Chairman of Otolaryngology, William Beaumont Hospital; Director of Skull Base Surgery, Providence Hospital; Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University
Dennis I Bojrab, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Medical Association, American Otological Society, and North American Skull Base Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jason G May, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Harper Hospital/Wayne State University School of Medicine
Jason G May, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Michael E Hoffer, MD, Director, Spatial Orientation Center, Department of Otolaryngology, Naval Medical Center of San Diego
Michael E Hoffer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Disclosure: American biloogical group Royalty Other

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

Gerard J Gianoli, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine; Vice President, The Ear and Balance Institute; Chief Executive Officer, Ponchartrain Surgery Center
Gerard J Gianoli, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Neurotology Society, American Otological Society, Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons, and Triological Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Christopher L Slack, MD, Otolaryngology-Facial Plastic Surgery, Private Practice, Associated Coastal ENT; Medical Director, Treasure Coast Sleep Disorders
Christopher L Slack, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA, Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Head and Neck Society
Disclosure: Covidien Corp Consulting fee Consulting; US Tobacco Corporation unstricted gift unknown; Axis Three Corporation Ownership interest Consulting; Omni Biosciences Ownership interest Consulting; Sentegra Ownership interest Board membership; Syndicom Ownership interest Consulting; Oxlo  Consulting; Medvoy Ownership interest Management position

 
 
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