CEUs: 0.3

Instructional Level: Advanced

Hidden hearing loss (HHL) associated with cochlear synaptopathy has recently received much attention. This apparent eighth nerve dysfunction related to noise exposure is accomapnied by normal detectability (i.e. normal audiogram). However, perhaps the most common auditory dysfunction linked to normal audiograms are neuro-auditory disorders of the central auditory nervous system (CANS). This presentation will highlight the commonality of this often overlooked clinical situation and the value of selected central auditory tests in revealing the most common type of HHL.

Learning Objectives:

• Define the key aspects of hidden hearing loss related central auditory dysfunction.
• Identify limitations of the pure tone audiogram.
• Understand the value of certain tests in identifying central/neuro auditory disorders.

Frank Musiek, PhD

Frank E. Musiek, PhD is Professor of Speech Language and Hearing Sciences University of Arizona. He is the 2007 AAA Recipient of the James Jerger Career award for research in Audiology, the 2010 recipient of “The Honors of The American Speech , Language and Hearing Assn.”, and Recipient of “Book of the Year Award” for Handbook of Central Processing Disorder Vol. I and II (with Gail Chermak co editor) 2007. He has published over 200 articles and book chapters in the areas of auditory evoked potentials, central auditory disorders and auditory neuroanatomy. He has authored or edited 11 books including his latest ”The Auditory System: Anatomy, Physiology & Clinincal Correlates 2nd Edition. 

Gail D. Chermak, PhD

Gail D. Chermak, PhD, CCC-A, FAAA is professor of audiology and chair of the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, at Washington State University, Spokane, Washington. Chermak is an internationally recognized authority on central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). She has authored or edited six books, published 135 papers, book chapters, and monographs, and presented more than 200 peer reviewed and invited lectures, seminars, and posters at national and international professional and scientific conferences. She has received numerous honors and awards, including the 2010 American Academy of Audiology’s (AAA) Distinguished Achievement Award and Honors of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in 2014, the highest honor the Association bestows.