Auditory Function and Natural History of 645 Auditory Neuropathy Patients Over a 27-Year Span in China

Advances in disease awareness, hearing screening, and diagnostic methods have enabled early detection and diagnosis of AN. Follow-up results highlighted the importance of CM in evaluating the function of outer hair cells. AN patients experienced a higher frequency of hearing loss progression while maintaining poor, unchangeable speech recognition ability. This study elucidates the multifaceted nature of AN, thereby establishing a more comprehensive understanding of the diagnosis and management of AN. Moreover, it serves as a pivotal reference for guiding counseling and evaluating the prognoses of clinical AN patients.