title: Auditory neuropathy/dyssynchrony revisited.
abstract: Auditory neuropathy/dyssynchrony (AN/AD) is a relatively, recently described diagnostic term. It describes a disorder characterised by detectable otoacoustic emissions and/or cochlear microphonics, combined with abnormal or absent auditory brainstem responses and deficient speech understanding. Consequently, the patient's cognitive responses are inconsistent with a behavioural tone audiogram. This review describes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of AN/AD. We have focused on the diagnostic pathway, because diagnosis is sometimes difficult, and recent research has provided important insights into the aetiopathology of the disease. The diagnostic tools for AN/AD currently used in our department will be demonstrated in a clinical case. It is very important to recognise AN/AD and provide patient counselling and support as early as possible, due to the potentially major influence of this disorder on a patient's social life and language acquisition.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Menten
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Eynde
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Desloovere
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wouters
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006313:Hearing Loss, Central / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male