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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
06:04
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Speech perception in children with auditory neuropathy/dyssynchrony managed with either hearing AIDS or cochlear
Gary Rance1, Elizabeth Janet Barker
1Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. grance@unimelb.edu.au
Summary
Children with auditory neuropathy (AN)/auditory dyssynchrony (AD) showed improved speech perception with hearing aids or cochlear implants. However, outcomes were less favorable compared to children with sensorineural hearing loss.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Auditory neuropathy (AN)/auditory dyssynchrony (AD) is a complex hearing disorder affecting the auditory nerve.
- Management of AN/AD often involves hearing aids or cochlear implants, but outcomes can vary.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare speech perception in children with AN/AD treated with hearing aids versus cochlear implants.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of auditory rehabilitation in children with AN/AD.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study comparing three groups: AN/AD with hearing aids, AN/AD with cochlear implants, and sensorineural hearing loss with cochlear implants.
- Speech perception assessed using open-set monosyllabic word recognition (consonant-nucleus-consonant).
Main Results:
- 90% of implanted AN/AD children achieved significant speech discrimination (CNC score >= 55%).
- Aided AN/AD children demonstrated similar speech perception results.
- Both AN/AD groups performed less well than the control group with sensorineural hearing loss.
Conclusions:
- Cochlear implantation can provide functional hearing for children with AN/AD.
- Outcomes for AN/AD patients may require adjusted expectations compared to those with peripheral hearing loss.
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