Also known as auditory neuropathy, auditory ear nerve hearing loss affects how sounds are transmitted from the ears to the brain. With this condition, sounds are effectively received by the inner ear, but problems occur when these signals are sent to the brain.
It is not entirely clear why some people experience auditory ear nerve hearing loss. The condition is sometimes congenital, meaning its present from birth, and it may have a genetic basis, since auditory neuropathy sometimes runs in families. While less common, this form of hearing loss can accompany certain neurological disorders, such as Friedrich’s ataxia, a rare nerve disorder.
Because the cause of this condition is not fully understood, there is not an established treatment regimen. Doctors cannot prescribe medication or perform surgery, but some people benefit from assistive devices:
Keep in mind that assistive hearing devices are not always effective with auditory neuropathy. In this case, people with this form of hearing loss should explore other options.
Sign language allows people with substantial hearing loss to communicate effectively with others using hand gestures. Children experiencing hearing loss are encouraged to learn sign language from an early age to improve their communication with others. Signing exact English (SEE) is similar to sign language, but it uses the structure and syntax of the English language (whereas sign language has its own structure and syntax).
Cued speech is beneficial for reading lips, a technique that involves paying close attention to mouth movements as a person speaks. With cued speech, the person talking uses specific hand gestures around their mouth to make it easier for the person with hearing loss to comprehend what is being said.