A Case of Psychogenic Hearing Loss in a Child Whose Hearing Improved After a Hearing Aid Trial

Abstract

Psychogenic hearing loss is described as hearing loss without anatomic or physiologic abnormalities. Current treatment options include psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, but there are many cases in which neither treatment is effective. Herein, we reported a case of pediatric psychogenic hearing loss in which use of a hearing aid led to hearing recovery. As the patient requested to wear the hearing aid, one explanation for the hearing improvement could be the psychological comfort. An alternate explanation could be his belief that the treatment made his hearing better. Taken together, we think that hearing aids should be included as one of the treatment options for children with psychogenic hearing loss.