Functional Hearing Loss
Functional hearing loss is a reduction in apparent hearing ability that is not explained by any measurable pathology in the auditory system. The ears and auditory pathway are physiologically intact, but the person's behavioral responses during testing do not reflect this. It is also called non-organic hearing loss or pseudohypacusis.
Functional hearing loss can be intentional (malingering, often for financial or legal reasons) or unintentional, arising from psychological factors such as anxiety, depression, or conversion disorder. It is more common in children, where it is often related to stress and typically resolves with support rather than audiological treatment. Audiologists use specific test protocols, including objective measures like otoacoustic emissions (OAE) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing, to identify inconsistencies between behavioral and physiological results.
Identifying functional hearing loss is important to avoid unnecessary hearing aid fitting and to direct the person toward appropriate psychological or medical support.
