Navigating auditory assessment in autistic individuals: a narrative review

Abnormal sensory responses have been a diagnostic criterion for autism since 2013, with auditory hypersensitivities representing one of the most frequently reported symptoms. It is not unusual for children with autism, some of whom are as yet undiagnosed, to present clinically to specialists with a history of auditory symptoms in the context of normal hearing. This narrative review paper provides a theoretical background and model to account for autism-associated characteristics that arise within the auditory nervous system. The review highlights the need to assess these symptoms by a multidisciplinary approach. There should be appropriate history taking, followed by psychoacoustic and neurophysiological assessments. We discuss a range of evidence-based management strategies. Affected individuals often present to a range of different clinical settings before their autism is recognised clinically. Nowadays, there is an increasing prevalence of neurodivergence. We emphasise the importance to audiologists and other clinicians that auditory-related symptoms can be the presenting problem in autistic children.