Objective: Hearing loss in children may be due to a wide variety of pathologies. Recently, use of otoacoustic emission technology has led to identification of auditory neuropathy as a distinct hearing disorder. Children with auditory neuropathy require audiological and educational management that may differ from that required by other hearing impaired students. For this reason, screening for auditory neuropathy may be appropriate for children attending schools for the hearing impaired. The study investigated the utility of using otoacoustic emission measures for school screening of hearing impaired children.
Methods: In this study, 81 children aged 6-12 years who attended one school for the deaf were screened for indications of auditory neuropathy. Children found to have consistent otoacoustic emissions were given a full diagnostic audiological test battery.
Results: Two children had transient otoacoustic emission results indicating normal outer hair cell function in one or both ears. A follow-up diagnostic assessment for the two positive cases was strongly suggestive of auditory neuropathy.
Conclusions: There is a need for routine auditory neuropathy screening at schools for hearing impaired children.