HEARing CRC Supervisor: Catherine McMahon

HEARing CRC Project: R4.6.4

Title:  Management of children with auditory neuropathy.

Detail: We hypothesise that better classification of auditory neuropathy (AN) into subgroups based on the site-of-lesion and the magnitude of temporal disruption will enable targeted management which will lead to more effective outcomes. This project involves the co-operation of institutions who are involved in the identification and management of individuals with auditory neuropathy to identify and recruit children with AN into the project. It requires the development of an appropriate testing facility at Macquarie University that includes capabilities to assess children objectively (using auditory evoked potentials and otoacoustic emissions) and subjectively (using speech perception, reading and language tests).

Specific objectives:

• To determine whether a relationship exists between the site-of-lesion and the effectiveness of device fitting (hearing aids or cochlear implants);
• To determine whether a relationship exists between the magnitude of temporal disruption and functional outcomes (including auditory, language and reading development);
• To develop intervention strategies to facilitate the development of language and reading skills in children diagnosed with A; and
• To determine the effectiveness of the aforementioned intervention strategies.