Auditory neuropathy/auditory dys-synchrony in school children with hearing loss: frequency of occurrence.
OBJECTIVE
The frequency of occurrence of a recently identified hearing disorder, auditory neuropathy/auditory dys-synchrony (AN/AD), was investigated in children with hearing impairment in Hong Kong.


METHODS
In this study, 56 students, aged 7-18 years, attending primary divisions in schools for the hearing impaired were screened using otoacoustic emission procedures.


RESULTS
One student in the study group was found to have intact outer hair cell function. A detailed diagnostic assessment of this case strongly suggested AN/AD was involved. Combining the study results with those of a previously conducted survey in Hong Kong, the frequency of occurrence of AN/AD in children attending schools for the hearing impaired was estimated to be 2.44% (3 out of 123 children screened). Estimates of the frequency of occurrence of AN/AD in various other educational settings in Hong Kong were also derived.


CONCLUSIONS
The study indicates that AN/AD is not an extremely rare disorder. Educational audiologists and other health care professionals need to be actively involved in the identification and management of AN/AD. Research should be directed at technological innovations that may help to overcome the limitations of present screening procedures, in order to more accurately identify the disorder.
Tang
Tempo P Y
TP
Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Prince Philip Dental Hospital, 5F, 34 Hospital Road, Hong Kong, China.
McPherson
Bradley
B
Yuen
Kevin C P
KC
Wong
Lena L N
LL
Lee
Juvy S M
JS
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests / Q000379:methods; D000293:Adolescent; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone / Q000379:methods; D001304:Auditory Diseases, Central / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous