[Integrated methods for assessing auditory nerve-auditory pathway integrity].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility and value of integrated methods to assess auditory pathway integrity.


METHODS
Twenty-four cases of bilateral profoundly-deafened individuals who were considered as the candidates of cochlear implantation were included in this study. Auditory pathway integrity from these candidates of cochlear implantation were assessed with the integrated methods established by our team, which consist of 5 categories including 1. audiological test; 2. radiological imaging study; 3. ear-canal electric audiometry; 4. response to sound in daily life; and 5. speech development.


RESULTS
Twenty-three candidates who meet the criteria of auditory nerve-auditory pathway integrity received cochlear implantation with improved hearing and speech development postoperatively. The remainder one of the 24 candidates was diagnosed as bilateral absence of auditory nerve. The fault of cochlear implantation was avoided.


CONCLUSIONS
The integrated methods for assessing auditory pathway integrity is feasible and valuable. Auditory nerve-auditory pathway integrity should be considered and included as one of the most important criteria for cochlear implantation candidate.
Kong
Weijia
W
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022.
Yue
Jianxin
J
Xiong
Xin'gao
X
Zhu
Lixin
L
Kong
Xiangquan
X
Han
Ping
P
Ma
Hui
H
Duan
Jiade
J
Dai
Chenkai
C
Cheng
Huamao
H
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000293:Adolescent; D001299:Audiometry / Q000379:methods; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D003056:Cochlear Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006312:Hearing Loss, Bilateral / Q000503:physiopathology; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male