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Non-organic hearing loss redefined: understanding, categorizing and managing non-organic behaviour
Sally Austen1, Catherine Lynch
1Deaf Mental Health Services, Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. Sallyausten@aol.com
International Journal of Audiology
|January 13, 2005
Summary
This study reviews non-organic hearing loss (NOHL) management, proposing a new model integrating malingering, factitious disorder, and conversion for better diagnosis and treatment. Objective measurements aid in detecting NOHL.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
Background:
- Non-organic hearing loss (NOHL) presents complex diagnostic and management challenges.
- Existing models often dichotomize conscious malingering from unconscious psychological needs.
Observation:
- Previous approaches to NOHL lack a unified framework.
- The DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of 'factitious disorder' offers a bridge between existing models.
Findings:
- A new model categorizes NOHL into malingering, factitious disorder, and conversion for distinct diagnosis and continuum-based management.
- This model integrates motivating factors, gain type, intention, and response consistency.
- Advances in objective audiological measurements facilitate NOHL detection.
Implications:
- The proposed model enhances diagnostic accuracy and management strategies for NOHL.
- A unified approach is crucial for effective patient care.
- Increased interest in NOHL diagnosis and management is timely.