What does functional hearing loss due to nonorganic causes refer to?

Functional hearing loss due to nonorganic causes refers to a condition where an individual presents with hearing impairment that cannot be fully explained by a medical or organic cause. Pseudohypacusis, often associated with cases of actual hearing loss that do not have a physiological basis, typically includes situations where individuals may exaggerate or feign hearing difficulties. This can stem from a variety of psychological, social, or economic factors rather than any identifiable auditory damage.

In contrast, chronic ear infections are characterized by recurrent inflammation in the ear that can lead to genuine conductive hearing loss due to anatomical changes or fluid buildup. Conductive hearing loss itself involves problems in the outer or middle ear that prevent sound from being conducted properly, which has identifiable causes. Sensorineural hearing loss is related to damage in the inner ear or auditory pathways and also has recognized medical explanations. These types of hearing loss are linked to identifiable physiologic deficits, which makes them distinct from the nonorganic nature of pseudohypacusis.