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Harsukh Educational Charitable Society International Journal of Community Health and Medical Research

Volume 3 Issue 2 April-June 2017

Original Articles

Activity Limitation and Participation Restriction in Adults with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder
Anuja Sonawane, Aparna Nandurkar

Background: Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) is a hearing disorder which may be characterized by normal or near normal hearing, or hearing loss ranging between mild to severe; but always associated with pronounced difficulty in speech recognition. This difficulty in speech recognition can affect communication in all situations, subsequently causing activity limitation and participation restriction in the affected individual. The current study aims to study the extent of activity limitation and participation restriction in adults with ANSD using a clinician developed tool. Material and Methods: Data was obtained from a sample of 23 adults with bilateral ANSD ranging in age between 18 and 52 years. The hearing status of the participants ranged from normal hearing sensitivity to severe hearing loss. A tool was developed based on ICF framework, including body functions, activities and participation and environmental factors. It consists of 83 statements spanning ten domains. Each statement was rated using a 5-point scale i.e. always, often, sometimes, seldom and never to indicate the frequency with which the participant experienced that phenomenon. Results: Every adult who participated in the study faced activity limitation and participation restriction in all domains. However severe difficulty was faced in domains of sensory functions and pain, learning, communication and domestic life. Moderate problem was experienced in domains of mental functions, general tasks and demands, interpersonal relations and interactions, major life areas, community and social life and supports and relationships.Conclusions: Results imply considerable activity limitation and participation restriction in adults with ANSD. Such information can help the clinician to address specific problems during intervention; especially considering that patients with ANSD do not get adequate benefit from amplification devices. Key words: ANSD, Activity limitation, Participation restriction, ICF

 
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