Prevalence and Audiological Characteristics of Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder in Pediatric Population: A
S S Vignesh1, V Jaya1, A Muraleedharan1
1Upgraded Institute of Otorhinolaryngology-Institute of Speech and Hearing, Madras Medical College and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, E.V.R. Periyar Salai, Chennai, 600003 India.
Insights
Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) affects children, with 5.06% prevalence found in this study. Early identification using objective tests is crucial for managing this hearing disorder.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Neurology
Background:
- Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) presents diagnostic and rehabilitative challenges.
- Prevalence data for ANSD in pediatric populations remains variable.
- Understanding the audiological profile of ANSD is essential for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of ANSD in children.
- To describe the audiological characteristics of ANSD in pediatric patients.
- To highlight the importance of objective audiological tests for ANSD detection.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical records from 2,624 children (6 months to 12 years).
- Evaluation of audiological characteristics including tympanometry, stapedial reflexes, otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), and auditory brainstem responses (ABR).
- Identification of patients with sensory neural hearing loss and subsequent diagnosis of ANSD.
Main Results:
- A prevalence of 5.06% for ANSD was found among children with sensory neural hearing loss.
- Patients exhibited a range of hearing thresholds from normal to profound impairment.
- Key audiological findings included 'A' type tympanograms, absent stapedial reflexes, variable OAEs (54%), abnormal ABR, and 46% showing cochlear microphonics.
Conclusions:
- ANSD is not a rare condition in children.
- Routine use of objective tests like tympanometry, stapedial reflex testing, OAEs, and ABR is recommended for all children's hearing assessments.
- Early and accurate identification of ANSD through comprehensive audiological evaluation is critical for timely management and improved outcomes.
Abstract:
Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) is a type of hearing disorder which is challenging for assessment and rehabilitation. This disorder has been studied over a decade and prevalence of the disorder is variable. The study aimed at estimating the prevalence and audiological characteristics of ANSD in children. A retrospective study was conducted from the medical records of pediatric patients evaluated at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital and Madras Medical College, Chennai to estimate the prevalence of ANSD. Medical records of 2,624 children evaluated during the period of November 2010 to October 2012 within the age range of 6 months to 12 years were analyzed. Out of 2,624 pediatric population assessed 217 (8.26 %) of them had unilateral or bilateral sensory neural hearing loss with varying degrees. Out of 217 children with sensory neural hearing loss 5.06 % (N = 11) had ANSD. Audiological characteristics varied among the group. Children with ANSD had varied degree of hearing thresholds from normal to profound hearing impairment. All of them had 'A' type tympanogram with absent stapedial reflexes. DPOAEs or TEOAEs were observed in 54 % of population with ANSD. All of them had abnormal auditory brainstem responses (ABR). Replicable cochlear microphonics was observed in 46 % of children with ANSD. These results indicate that ANSD is not a rare condition among children and we emphasize the use of objective tests like tympanometry, Stapedial Reflex test, otoacoustic emissions and ABR in routine hearing assessment procedure for all children to identify ANSD.
