Auditory Neuropathy/Dys-synchrony and Its Perceptual Consequences

Rance, Gary PhD, MSc, BEd, Dip Aud, MAudSA(CC)

From the Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Australia

Reprint requests: Gary Rance, The University of Melbourne, School of Audiology, 172 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne 3002, Australia; e-mail: [email protected]

Trends in Amplification 9(1):p 1-43, 2005.

Auditory neuropathy/dys-synchrony is a form of hearing impairment in which cochlear outer hair cell function is spared but neural transmission in the auditory pathway is disordered. This condition, or group of conditions with a common physiologic profile, accounts for approximately 7% of permanent childhood hearing loss and a significant (but as yet undetermined) proportion of adult impairment. This paper presents an overview of the mechanisms underlying auditory neuropathy/dys-synchrony-type hearing loss and the clinical profile for affected patients. In particular it examines the perceptual consequences of auditory neuropathy/dys-synchrony, which are quite different from those associated with sensorineural hearing loss, and considers currently available, and future management options.