Auditory and Visual Hallucinations in a Congenitally Deaf Patient with Schizophrenia: A Case Report and Brief Literature Review.

Abstract

This report discusses the case of a 54-year-old woman with a complex psychiatric history including schizophrenia, tardive dyskinesia, borderline intellectual function, and congenital deafness that reported auditory and visual hallucinations during an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia. After resuming a previous lithium regimen and introducing olanzapine, the patient improved and was discharged without hallucinations. In our report we explore some of the challenges we faced, discuss similar cases, and examine the unresolved debate about whether congenitally deaf patients can experience auditory hallucinations.