Prevalence, risk factors, and audiological characteristics of auditory neuropathy

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and audiological characteristics of auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) in the pediatric population.

Design

A retrospective review of medical charts was conducted for children visiting two hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

Study Sample

Medical records of 1025 patients with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) were reviewed. We analyzed the databases for results of audiological examinations, risk factors, and outcomes of intervention including hearing aid (HA) and cochlear implantation (CI).

Results

Out of 1025 children with SNHL, 101 patients (9.85%) were identified to have ANSD. Audiological characteristics of the ANSD group revealed a severe-to-profound degree of hearing loss, all showed type A tympanogram and absent reflexes, absent auditory brainstem response (ABR) findings with present cochlear microphonic while otoacoustic emissions were absent in 54.5% of patients. The most prevalent risk factors for ANSD in this group were family history of hearing loss, consanguinity, hyperbilirubinemia, and low birth weight. Pure tone and speech detection thresholds improved significantly with CI compared to HA use in this sample of patients with ANSD.

Conclusion

This study shows that ANSD is not extremely rare among Saudi children with severe to profound hearing loss, with a prevalence of 9.85%.

Keywords:

• Auditory neuropathy
• sensorineural hearing loss
• ANSD
• prevalence
• intervention outcomes

Acknowledgments

The authors express their gratitude to the doctors, audiologists, and staff of the Otolaryngology and Audiology departments at King Abdullah Ear Specialist Center and King Fahad General Hospital-Jeddah.

Ethical approval

The study was reviewed and approved by King Saud University Institutional Review Board (Protocol # 20/0260).

Author contributions

Conceptualisation: Ali A. Almishaal

Formal analysis: Ali A. Almishaal, Shaza Saleh

Funding acquisition: Ali A. Almishaal

Data collection: Ali A. Almishaal, Hala Alferaih, Osamah Alhelo

Methodology: Ali A. Almishaal

Project administration: Ali A. Almishaal, Shaza Saleh

Writing – original draft: Ali A. Almishaal

All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This research has been funded by the Scientific Research Deanship at University of Ha’il-Saudi Arabia through project [number BA-2018]. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.