Sluhovaya neuropathy

Sluhovaya neuropathy – Description

Auditory neuropathy occurs, When the nervous system of the inner ear fails to process sounds, emanating from the outer ear. It may affect any age group, from infants to adults.

Causes of hearing neuropathy

During the hearing process, the outer ear sends vibrations to the inner ear. Hair cells in the inner ear convert sound waves into electrical signals, are sent to the brain. The exact cause of auditory neuropathy is found out, however, it likely occurs for the following reasons:

• Damage to the hair cells in the inner ear;
• Poor communication between the hair cells in the inner ear and the nerve, transmitting sound to the brain;
• Nerve damage;
• The combination of these problems.

Risk factors

Factors, which increase the chance of developing auditory neuropathy:

• Family history of hearing loss;
• The lack of oxygen at birth;
• Very low birth weight;
• Gilbert's syndrome (genetic disease), that requires blood transfusion;
• Neurological disorders (eg, Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome, ataxia Fridreyha);
• Infectious diseases (eg, mumps);
• Immune disorders;
• Exposure to chemicals or medicines (aminoglycosides, loop diuretics), that cause hearing loss;
• Tumor;
• Neurofibromatosis type 2 (a genetic disorder of the nervous system);
• Trauma.

Symptoms of auditory neuropathy

These symptoms may be caused by other diseases. You must inform your doctor, if they came any:

• Sound can be heard, but the words hardly distinguishable (I heard the white noise);
• Poor audibility;
• Words and sounds seem out of synch;
• Tinnitus.

The level of hearing loss can vary from mild to severe. Many cases of auditory neuropathy found in children.

Diagnosing auditory neuropathy

The doctor conducts a physical exam and may perform the following tests:

• Answer brain auditory stimuli – measuring brain activity using electrodes. It is useful to assess the function of the auditory nerve.
• Otoacoustic emissions (UAE) – a tiny microphone is placed in the ear canal, to record, how cells respond to clicking sounds. It is useful when checking, if hair cells are working normally.

Treatment of auditory neuropathy

Treatment options include the following:

Working with a team of specialists, including:

• Otolaringolog – doctor, specializing in disorders of the ear, nose and throat;
• Audio – doctor, specializing in hearing loss;

Using Technology, such as:

• Cochlear implants – surgically implantable electronic devices, which stimulate the auditory nerve to send information to the brain;
• Hearing aids;

The presence of speech-language therapy:

• Learning sign language;
• Learning lipreading.

Objectives of treatment usually include:

• Preserving existing hearing skills;
• Restoring the lost hearing;
• Finding new ways to communicate.

Prevention of auditory neuropathy

Since the exact cause of hearing neuropathy is unknown, methods of its prevention does not exist. You can make the following recommendations:

• In the presence of pregnancy protected against infections;
• Regularly check the ears.