Auditory and optic neuropathy in Kjer's disease: case report.

OBJECTIVE

Description of a female patient with diagnosed Kjer's disease and sensorineural hearing loss, who specifically complained of a progressive inability to understand speech in noisy situations.

DESIGN

Case report.

SUBJECT: A 30-year-old, Caucasian woman with Kjer's disease.

RESULTS

Audiological assessment showed low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss and a disproportionate deterioration in speech discrimination. This inconsistency gave rise to suspicion of possible aggravation. Follow-up testing showed that brainstem responses were absent, while clear otoacoustic emissions and cochlear microphonics were present. Hearing aids were fitted but no improvement was shown.

CONCLUSION

This case shows a combination of auditory neuropathy and Kjer's optic neuropathy. It also illustrates that the combination of unexplained hearing loss and apparently inconsistent audiometric outcomes may be associated with auditory neuropathy. Such unexpected hearing evaluation outcomes may be due to other neurological conditions, such as Kjer's disease.