Auditory Neuropathy

In this presentation, Professor Gary Rance from the University of Melbourne Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology discusses Auditory Neuropathy. Auditory Neuropathy is a hearing disorder in which cochlear (outer) hair cell function is normal but neural conduction in the auditory pathways is disrupted. It is a relatively common condition affecting 1 in 7000 newborns and accounting for approximately 10% of permanent childhood hearing loss.

Professor Rance situates Auditory Neuropathy in relation to other types of hearing loss to explore what makes the disorder and its impacts for children different. The presentation examines the reasons why abnormal auditory neural activity occurs, including the different mechanisms and sites of lesion that have been associated with the disorder.

Professor Rance then discusses educational aspects relating to Auditory Neuropathy and noise, in considering how improvements in listening can be aided through different management and intervention approaches. The presentation highlights the latest research looking at diagnostic procedures for the various forms of auditory neuropathy, and focuses on next generation imaging techniques to demonstrate what these tell us about the fine structure of the auditory pathways in normally developing individuals, and in patients with different types of Auditory Neuropathy.

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This On-Demand presentation is delivered in spoken English with captioning

Participants will:

• Understand Auditory Neuropathy in relation to other types of hearing loss.
• Learn what makes Auditory Neuropathy and its impacts for children different.
• Explore educational aspects of the disorder in relation to noise, interventions and management.
• Examine the latest research looking at diagnostic procedures for the various forms of Auditory Neuropathy.

Gary Rance is an audiologist, clinical researcher and Professor at the University of Melbourne where he leads the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology and is Director of the Centre for Auditory Neuroscience.

His research areas have included auditory evoked potentials, cochlear implants in children, and the perceptual effects of both permanent and transient hearing loss.  He has also been a leader in the field of auditory neuropathy (AN) and was responsible for the first publications to describe this form of hearing abnormality in newborn babies.

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Participants who successfully complete this On-Demand Presentation will receive a certificate noting 2 hours of professional learning.