Developing a Treatment Program for Children with Auditory Neuropathy

ABSTRACT

Auditory neuropathy/dys-synchrony is a relatively new diagnosis that has challenged parents and professionals to identify appropriate treatment strategies. Parents may be confused by the diagnosis and confounded by the treatment options. This article offers guidelines to be used by parents and professionals to develop a treatment plan for each child. The goal of treatment, language development, can be accomplished through a variety of methods, each one suitable for different children and for different families. The value of visual communication approaches and the efficacy of cochlear implantation are presented. The therapeutic/education team is encouraged to obtain a profile of each child's skills in all developmental domains and to consider a child's unique developmental profile as an effective, individualized treatment plan is created. The therapeutic/education team should include professionals who are familiar with the diagnosis of auditory neuropathy/dys-synchrony and the implications of this diagnosis for a child's development.

KEYWORDS

Assessment - treatment - language development - communication methods

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