[Nonorganic (functional) hearing loss in children].

Abstract

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.

• Authors: C-M Schmidt, A Am Zehnhoff-Dinnesen, D Deuster
• Journal: HNO (HNO) Vol. 61 Issue 2 Pg. 136-41 (Feb 2013) ISSN: 1433-0458 [Electronic] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Nichtorganische (funktionelle) Hörstörungen bei Kindern.
• PMID: 22534679 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Review)

Topics

• Affective Symptoms (epidemiology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Comorbidity
• Female
• Hearing Loss, Functional (epidemiology)
• Hearing Tests (statistics & numerical data)
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Male
• Prevalence
• Risk Factors