Hallucinations in Hearing Impairment: How Informed Are Clinicians?

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Otolaryngology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Patients with hearing impairment (HI) may experience auditory hallucinations (AHs), ranging from tinnitus to music.
• Clinical awareness of these phenomena is crucial for effective patient assessment and management, yet studies indicate it is often low.
• Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of AHs in HI is essential for improving patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the awareness and opinions of clinicians regarding auditory hallucinations (AHs) in patients with hearing impairment (HI).
• To assess clinicians' confidence and perceived preparedness in assessing and treating patients experiencing AHs.
• To identify factors associated with clinicians' awareness of AHs in HI.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was distributed to 125 clinicians, including audiologists and Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) specialists, across 10 countries.
• The survey gathered data on clinicians' awareness of AHs, their frequency of encountering such patients, and their beliefs about patient anxiety and necessary clinical awareness.
• Statistical analysis was used to determine associations between awareness and clinician beliefs/confidence levels.

Main Results:

• A high percentage of clinicians (96.8%) reported at least slight awareness of AHs in HI.
• Awareness was significantly linked to clinicians' beliefs about patient anxiety, the need for greater clinical awareness, and their confidence in assessment skills.
• Despite high awareness, most clinicians encountered patients with AHs infrequently and felt underequipped to manage them, with music being the most commonly perceived hallucination.

Conclusions:

• Clinician awareness of auditory hallucinations in hearing impairment is generally high.
• However, clinicians express significant confidence deficits in assessing and treating these conditions, suggesting a need for further education and resources.
• The findings indicate a potential underreporting of cases and highlight the need for improved clinical preparedness for auditory hallucinations in hearing-impaired patients.