Can Our Patients Hear?

Fifty patients attending a private psychiatric practice were chosen at random and examined with an audioscope combined with an audiometer that delivers a 40-dB tone at frequences of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. Thirty-five (70%) had hearing impairment, and 10% had severe bilateral deficits. Deficits were more common among older patients and among those with history of physical disabilities that usually affect hearing.