Auditory Neuropathy: A Case of Near Misdiagnosis

Abstract

Auditory neuropathy is a type of hearing loss. This is a case study that describes an 18 months old child presenting with hearing loss reported by his parents. The parents reported that although he exhibited signs of hearing loss, they were told by multiple experts that tests confirmed that he was not deaf. The child sometimes acted as if he was deaf and sometimes did not, which lead to confusion about additional diagnoses that might be included in the diagnosis. An early diagnosis of auditory neuropathy is time sensitive as early development of learning and language is more beneficial for the child. Listening to parents and understanding the subtleties that segregate the diagnosis of auditory neuropathy from auditory processing disorder, autism or other similar presentations is important in the diagnosis and treatment of auditory neuropathy in children.