Clinical features of auditory neuropathy under pure tone audiometry and acoustic immitance examination

Abstract

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of auditory neuropathy under pure tone audiometry and acoustic immitance examination.Methods Seventeen patients (32 ears) diagnosed as having auditory neuropathy were examined for audiology features by pure tone audiometry and acoustic immitance.Results Bilateral and symmetrical hearing loss was found in 15 patients and low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss was noted in 26 ears.Seventeen ears with a course of disease less than 5 years presented light or moderate dysaudia,and those with more than 5 years presented grave loss of aural comprehension.16 patients (31 ears) in the acoustic immitance examination showed type A tympanogram,and absence of stapedius muscle reflex was found in 15 patients (30 ears).The threshold of acoustic stapedius reflex increased in 2 patients (2 ears).Conclusion Auditory neuropathy primarily presents bilateral and symmetrical hearing loss,low-frequency hearing loss at the initial stage and total-frequency hearing loss finally,absence of stapedius muscle reflex and type A tympanogram,and absence of loudness recruitment phenomenon. Key words: Auditory neuropathy; Pure tone audiometry; Acoustic immitance