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Background: Postural control deficits have been documented in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet vestibular system contributions to postural control have not been widely considered. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between functional balance, postural sway, and vestibular function in children with ASD. Methods: Ten children with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD according to DSM-V guidelines along with ten children with no known neurodevelopmental or motor delays participated in the study. Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency and the Paediatric Balance Scale measured functional balance ability, and postural sway was measured using static posturography with modified sensory inputs. Peripheral vestibular function was measured using cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and video head impulse testing. Correlations between measures were performed. Results: When visual cues were removed, children with ASD demonstrated larger path velocities indicative of reduced postural control, and different patterns of postural sway. Functional balance was correlated with path velocities for conditions where sensory information was modified. No differences in peripheral vestibular function were noted between groups, and functional balance was not correlated with vestibular function. Conclusions: Findings suggest that while peripheral vestibular function is similar between groups, postural control differences in children with ASD remain, particularly for conditions where sensory information is modified. Furthermore, demonstrated patterns of postural sway suggest sensory system integration is less developed in children with ASD. These findings highlight the importance of utilising a range of clinical tools to quantify balance ability and consideration of postural control measures to inform intervention.

Background/Objectives : Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characterised by impairments in social communication, sensory abnormalities, and attentional deficits. Children with ASD often face significant challenges with speech perception and auditory attention, particularly in noisy environments. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of noise cancelling Bluetooth earbuds (Nuheara IQbuds Boost) in improving speech perception and auditory attention in children with ASD. Methods: Thirteen children aged 6-13 years diagnosed with ASD participated. Pure tone audiometry confirmed normal hearing levels. Speech perception in noise was measured using the Consonant-Nucleus-Consonant-Word test, and auditory/visual attention was evaluated via the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Task. Participants completed these assessments both with and without the IQbuds in situ. A two-week device trial evaluated classroom listening and communication improvements using the Listening Inventory for Education-Revised (teacher version) questionnaire. Results: Speech perception in noise was significantly poorer for the ASD group compared to typically developing peers and did not change with the IQbuds. Auditory attention, however, significantly improved when the children were using the earbuds. Additionally, classroom listening and communication improved significantly after the two-week device trial. Conclusions: While the noise cancelling earbuds did not enhance speech perception in noise for children with ASD, they significantly improved auditory attention and classroom listening behaviours. These findings suggest that Bluetooth earbuds could be a viable alternative to remote microphone systems for enhancing auditory attention in children with ASD, offering benefits in classroom settings and potentially minimising the stigma associated with traditional assistive listening devices.

Background: Progressive auditory dysfunction is common in patients with generalized neurodegenerative conditions, but clinicians currently lack the diagnostic tools to determine the location/degree of the pathology and, hence, to provide appropriate intervention. In this study, we present the white-matter microstructure measurements derived from a novel diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) technique in a patient with axonal auditory neuropathy and consider the findings in relation to the auditory intervention outcomes., Methods: We tracked the hearing changes in an adolescent with Riboflavin Transporter Deficiency (Type 2), evaluating the sound detection/discrimination, auditory evoked potentials, and both structural- and diffusion-weighted MRI findings over a 3-year period. In addition, we explored the effect of bilateral cochlear implantation in this individual., Results: Between the ages of 15 years and 18 years, the patient showed a complete loss of functional hearing ability. The auditory brainstem response testing indicated an auditory neuropathy with evidence of normal cochlear function but disrupted auditory neural activity. While three structural MRI assessments across this period showed a clinically normal cochleovestibular anatomy, the dMRI evaluation revealed a significant loss of fiber density consistent with axonopathy. The subsequent cochlear implant function was affected with the high levels of current required to elicit auditory sensations and concomitant vestibular and facial nerve stimulation issues., Conclusions: The case study demonstrates the ability of dMRI technologies to identify the subtle white-matter microstructure changes in the auditory pathway, which may disrupt the neural function in patients with auditory axonopathy.