ASSOCIATION OF AUDITORY NEUROPATHY WITH OTHER CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHIES

OBJECTIVES- 1.To determine the frequency of association of auditory neuropathy with other neuropathies.2.To determine the clinical, otoneurological and audiological profile of patients with auditory neuropathy (AN) in whom other associated neuropathies were identified. STUDY DESIGN-A retrospective chart review. METHODS- A retrospective chart review of 35 patients who were diagnosed to have auditory neuropathy (AN) was done in which nine patients who had other associated neuropathies were identified. The charts of these nine patients were further reviewed to determine the clinical history, otoneurological abnormalities, audiological profile and finding on investigations. RESULTS- Between the years 2008 to 2011, 35 patients were diagnosed to have AN and nine (25.7) were found to have other neuropathies. Out of the nine, five had a family history of AN. Sural nerve biopsies were done for three and this showed marked loss of fibres in one, moderate loss in the second and uniform loss in the third. Nerve conduction studies showed sensory neuropathy in six, motor in two and mixed type of neuropathy in one patient. CONCLUSIONS- From this study and also from literature, it is evident that patients with auditory neuropathy may have other associated neuropathies and it is therefore necessary to obtain a detailed neurological history and examination in all patients diagnosed with auditoryneuropathy.