Auditory and Psychological Factors in ‘Auditory Disability with Normal Hearing’

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Abstract
Patients who have ‘Auditory Disability with Normal Hearing’ (ADN) complain of hearing difficulties even although their hearing is audiometrically ‘normal’. The auditory and psychological factors involved in ADN have been investigated by comparing 20 patients of employment age with 20 controls (matched for age, sex and socioeconomic group) on appropriate auditory tests and questionnaires. From the results it was concluded that both auditory and psychological factors are involved in ADN. The principal finding was that as a result of their problems with discriminating speech in noise, individuals with ADN have a tendency to anxiety, depression and loneliness. In addition the otological history of an individual was found to be important in the development of ADN. Finally, it was suggested that bad coping strategies may lead to increased anxiety in those with ADN.