Chinese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Auditory Neuropathy (gCAN)

Abstract

Auditory neuropathy (AN) is an auditory disorder that affects the function of the auditory pathway. An increasing number of AN cases have been identified with the revelation of the underlying mechanisms, the advancements of diagnostic and detecting techniques. The precise assessment, intervention, and effective rehabilitation of AN, which are crucial for AN patients and their families, have become challenging and significant topics in the field of otology. To discuss and lead the development of the "Chinese Clinical Practice Guideline for AN," more than 200 experts from China and other countries were invited to the "the International Advanced Forum on Auditory Neuropathy," which was hosted by the Chinese PLA General Hospital from 2016 to 2020, basing on the global research progress on AN and the clinical practice achievements in China. This guideline was jointly launched by the "Chinese Multi-center Research Collaborative Group on Clinical Diagnosis and Intervention of Auditory Neuropathy," the "Editorial Board of the Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery," the "Society of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chinese Medical Association," the "China Division, International Association of Physician in Audiology," and the "Society of Audiology and Vestibular Medicine, China International Exchange and Promotion Association for Medical and Health Care." This guideline aims to embody the characteristics and contributions of Chinese research in terms of disease diagnosis consistency, operational procedure standardization, disease subtype classification, lesion location classification, precise genetic diagnosis, personalized intervention, and follow-up of the natural course. It aims to establish and improve the Chinese Clinical Practice Guidelines for AN (gCAN) that conform to Chinese medical conditions.

Keywords: audiological assessment; auditory neuropathy; clinical classification; clinical practice guideline; genetic diagnosis; personalized intervention.