Nonorganic (functional) hearing loss in children

作者：Schmidt C M^*; Zehnhoff Dinnesen A Am; Deuster D

来源：HNO, 2013, 61(2): 136-141.

DOI：10.1007/s00106-012-2504-3

• Nonorganic hearing loss
• Functional hearing loss
• Pseudohypacusis
• Psychogenic deafness
• Children

Nonorganic (functional) hearing loss in children is characterized by hearing loss without a detectable corresponding pathology in the auditory system. It is not an uncommon disease in childhood. Typically, there is a discrepancy between elevated pure tone thresholds and normal speech discrimination in everyday life. We evaluated 85 original publications, 27 reviews and 4 textbook articles. Mean age at diagnosis was 11.3 years. Girls were affected twice as often as boys. Patient histories showed a high prevalence of emotional and school problems. Pre-existing organic hearing loss can be worsened by nonorganic causes. A brainstem audiometry should confirm the diagnosis. The differential diagnosis includes auditory processing disorder, elevated thresholds in mental retardation and auditory neuropathy. We recommend taking a personal history including biographical factors, a psychological assessment including intelligence testing and referral to a child psychiatrist. Prognosis seems to be dependent on the severity of the patient's school and/or personal problems. Categorization following the Austen-Lynch model can be a valuable prognostic factor.

• 出版日期2013-2