Ms Katie Neal1, Dr Pia Watkins1, Ms Jennifer Whiteway1
1The Shepherd Centre, Sydney, Australia
Biography:
Katie is the Principal of Research and Clinical Learning at The Shepherd Centre, Sydney, specialising in cochlear implantation and translational research. She holds Master’s degrees in Research and Clinical Audiology, and Bachelor’s degrees in Health Science and Advanced Science (Neuroscience). With a focus on understanding hearing loss across life stages, Katie emphasises measuring listening and communication challenges in real-life contexts. Her work supports the development of practice-based evidence, driving evidence-based changes in clinical measurement and practice. Katie's innovative approach aims to rethink how these challenges are understood and addressed in clinical care.
Abstract
Purpose: This study explores diagnostic characteristics, intervention pathways, and socio-demographic factors to assess their impact on early listening, language, and communication outcomes in children with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD), compared to those with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).
Scope: A retrospective review of clinical data from newborn hearing screenings, diagnostic evaluations, and intervention records was conducted. The study examines two cohorts: children diagnosed with ANSD (n=70), categorised by imaging results and device type, and a comparative cohort with SNHL (n=70). Outcome measures include communication mode, and auditory, speech, and language development over the first five years of life.
Issue: ANSD presents unique challenges in diagnosis, assessing its impact, and determining the appropriate intervention. While some children with ANSD achieve similar outcomes to those with SNHL, greater variability persists. Despite increased understanding of the mechanisms contributing to this variability, effectively predicting outcomes in this complex population remains difficult.
Conclusion: Preliminary results show significant variation between the groups, with imaging outcomes and diagnosed additional needs being key factors. Other contributing factors include the timing and nature of interventions. This study highlights the importance of personalised early intervention pathways for children with ANSD. The findings underscore the need for more nuanced clinical decision-making and continuous review of assessment data to optimise outcomes for this diverse population, particularly with the advent of new technologies and intervention strategies.