Computerized auditory training in an adolescent with neurofibromatosis type 2

Abstract

Neurofibromatosis type 2 is a genetic disease that affects the Central Nervous System, mainly the auditory pathway, being some of the main symptoms: sensorineural hearing loss, low speech recognition, tinnitus and vestibular dysfunction. This study describes a process of therapeutic intervention through Computerized Auditory Training in an adolescent with medical diagnosis of Neurofibromatosis type 2. This intervention was composed of 16 sessions of AT with a specific software. For this study, the pre and post-training evaluation was carried out through the results of basic audiological evaluation, Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry and evaluation of phonological awareness, as well as analyzing the patient’s reports regarding the therapeutic process. The auditory processing behavioral tests were not performed, since the patient presents difficulty in speech comprehension. Patient presented improvement in speech recognition and phonological awareness ability, although the electrophysiological test did not demonstrate such benefits directly in the auditory pathway at the brainstem level, for the click stimulus. Furthermore, the patient’s report of improvement in speech comprehension after such intervention could also be highlighted. Thus, the positive effects of auditory training on the improvement of auditory perception could be observed, influencing positively the daily life of the patient.