NONORGANIC HEARING-LOSS AND CHILD-ABUSE - BEYOND THE SOUND BOOTH

Nonorganic hearing loss in children can result from many factors. It i s possible that some children show nonorganic hearing loss because of the stresses of past or on-going abuse and neglect. We report three ca ses of nonorganic hearing loss in children with a history of abuse. Th ese cases suggest that among other causes, child abuse or neglect is t o be ruled out when a child shows false hearing loss. Discussions with professionals knowledgeable of a child's home life should be a initia ted when nonorganic pediatric hearing loss is uncovered.