Which type of hearing loss is non-organic in nature?

Functional hearing loss, often referred to as non-organic hearing loss, is characterized by a discrepancy between a patient's reported hearing ability and their actual measurable hearing ability. This type of hearing loss occurs without any identifiable physical or biological cause, meaning the individual's hearing function appears impaired, yet is not attributable to typical auditory pathologies that can be assessed through standard medical evaluation.

It often results from psychological factors, such as stress or anxiety, and is sometimes seen in situations involving compensation claims, where the individual may have a vested interest in demonstrating hearing issues. The key aspect of functional hearing loss is that it is not due to any observable anatomical or physiological disorder of the auditory system, highlighting its classification as "non-organic."

Understanding this distinction is crucial for hearing instrument specialists, as it informs the approach to assessment and potential interventions. In contrast, other types of hearing loss, such as conductive, sensorineural, and mixed hearing loss, have identifiable organic causes related to either the outer, middle, or inner ear and are not classified as non-organic.