An Update on Management of Children with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review of Literature

Abstract

Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) is a hearing disorder caused due to the dysschynchronous neural firing. The disorder has serious impact of speech perception which gets further worsened in the presence of noise. The current review aimed to document the evidences and outcomes of management of children with Auditory neuropathy. The literature was performed in various databases and up on undergoing further filering and screening seventeen articles that reported the management of ANSD in children were finalized for the review. As reported in the previous review articles, the management options of were cochlear implants and hearing aids. Different objective and subjective tools can be used to monitor and document the benefit of device fitting, which also helps clinician in planning the habilitation and training activities. Measures evaluating neural synchrony at the level of auditory cortex is considered as good predictor of device benefit and real-time correlate of speech identification performance. After undergoing detailed clinical evaluation as well as monitoring the benefits of fitted device/s and incorporation of compensatory strategies, environmental modifications and lip reading and multimodality training as per the requirements and comorbid disorders present in the child would enhance effectiveness of management undertaken.