Dynamic postural control in Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder: a Computerised Dynamic Posturography study

To evaluate postural control and sensory integration in individuals with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) using Computerised Dynamic Posturography (CDP), and to compare their performance with age- and gender-matched Healthy Subjects (HS).

Cross-sectional comparative study employing CDP-based assessments including the Sensory Organisation Test (SOT), Motor Control Test (MCT), Adaptation Test (ADT), Optokinetic (OKN) Test, and Fall Risk Evaluation.

Twenty-two adults with clinically confirmed ANSD and twenty-two age- and gender-matched HS participated in the study. All underwent standard audiological evaluations and CDP under controlled laboratory conditions.

The ANSD group showed significantly lower equilibrium scores across all SOT conditions and elevated sway indices in the Fall Risk test, indicating impaired sensory integration and higher postural instability. They also demonstrated reduced adaptation in ADT and diminished amplitude scaling during backward translations in MCT. The ANSD group exhibited greater sway during OKN stimulation, suggesting abnormal visual-vestibular integration. Correlation analyses revealed strong associations between increased visual dependency and reduced equilibrium scores.

Individuals with ANSD exhibit marked deficits in postural stability and multisensory integration. These findings underscore ANSD as an audio-vestibular neuropathy and highlight the utility of CDP in detecting subclinical balance dysfunction and guiding rehabilitation.