J Am Acad Audiol 2012; 23(06): 396-411
DOI: 10.3766/jaaa.23.6.3
Articles
American Academy of Audiology. All rights reserved. (2012) American Academy of Audiology

Plasticity in the Developing Auditory Cortex: Evidence from Children with Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder

Garrett Cardon
,
Julia Campbell
,
Anu Sharma
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
06 August 2020 (online)

The developing auditory cortex is highly plastic. As such, the cortex is both primed to mature normally and at risk for reorganizing abnormally, depending upon numerous factors that determine central maturation. From a clinical perspective, at least two major components of development can be manipulated: (1) input to the cortex and (2) the timing of cortical input. Children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) have provided a model of early deprivation of sensory input to the cortex and demonstrated the resulting plasticity and development that can occur upon introduction of stimulation. In this article, we review several fundamental principles of cortical development and plasticity and discuss the clinical applications in children with SNHL and ANSD who receive intervention with hearing aids and/or cochlear implants.