Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) is a heterogeneous hearing disorder characterized by impaired auditory neural synchrony and variable auditory and communication outcomes. Hearing aids (HAs) are commonly used as initial treatment, whereas cochlear implantation (CI) may be considered for children who show inadequate progress with amplification....
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Discussion
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Evidence from this systematic review tentatively favours cochlear implants over hearing aids for improving auditory and communication outcomes in children with ANSD, but the heterogeneity of ANSD and study quality limitations mean decisions should remain individualised pending stronger RCT-level data.
ANSD management in children remains one of the most contested areas in paediatric audiology; a systematic review synthesising comparative outcome data helps frame more evidence-based device selection conversations.
- 01The review compares cochlear implants (CIs) vs. hearing aids (HAs) for children with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD).
- 02ANSD is a heterogeneous condition where the auditory nerve's ability to send clear signals to the brain is disrupted despite normal outer hair cell function.
- 03Cochlear implants generally showed superior auditory and speech outcomes compared to hearing aids in reviewed studies.
- 04The heterogeneity of ANSD presentations complicates universal treatment recommendations.
- 05Published in Cureus as a systematic review.
Cochlear implants produce better auditory and communication outcomes than hearing aids in children with ANSD.
studypartially supportedANSD is a heterogeneous condition that complicates uniform device selection recommendations.
studysupported- PMID
- 42960322
- DOI
- 10.7759/cureus.117160.
- Journal
- Cureus
- Publication type
- systematic_review
- Evidence level
- 1a
- Population
- Children with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD)
- Intervention
- Cochlear implantation
- Comparator
- Hearing aids
Primary outcomes
Auditory outcome measures (e.g., speech perception scores); Communication and language development outcomes