Central hearing loss

Central hearing loss
Classification and external resources
MeSH	D006313

Central hearing loss is a form of sensorineural hearing loss caused by damage to the auditory pathways. When the damage is to the primary auditory cortex, the impairment is called "cortical deafness".

Cortical deafness

Cortical deafness is essentially the combination of word deafness and auditory agnosia. It is characterized by an inability to interpret either verbal or nonverbal sounds with preserved awareness of the occurrence of sound (as for instance by a startle reaction to a clap. In most instances, the cause is bilateral embolic stroke to the area of Heschl's gyri. It usually results from bilateral lesions and happens when remaining normal auditory cortex is destroyed. It begins as a sudden deafness, which evolves into a picture where patients can hear sounds but are unable to recognize their meaning. Relatively few cases of this disorder have been studied. Note that this syndrome might be difficult to distinguish from a brainstem lesion such as described above. Mendez and Geehan have reviewed this syndrome (1988). The black areas on the scan above are strokes in the temporal lobes of both sides.

External links

• Overview at dizziness-and-balance-com
• Hood L, Berlin C, Allen P (1994). "Cortical deafness: a longitudinal study.". J Am Acad Audiol 5 (5): 330–42. PMID 7987023. 

• http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/hearing/cent_hearing.html