P-405 - Auditory charles bonnet syndrome (ACBS)

Abstract

Introduction:Auditory hallucinations in deaf people are known since the XIX century. However, research in this area is scarce.Objectives:Auditory hallucinations can be caused by alterations in receptors, stimulus carrying routes or cerebral centres. Therefore, they can take place in persons without mental illness.Methods:Bibliographical review in literature and pub med using as key words: “Auditory hallucinations, Auditory deficit,ACBS”Results:There is always chronic hearing loss caused by an auditory injury.Higher prevalence in females with acute or gradual onset.Usually unilateral.Most common phenomena are musical hallucinations.Not associated with other types of hallucinations.Can be modified by attention and will.It is a hallucinosis.Not accompanied by disturbances of consciousness, memory or judgment.Treatment of hearing impairment leads to healing. Results are unsatisfactory with psychotropic drugs. Psychoeducation may lead to improvements.Conclusions:The existence of auditory hallucinations with consciousness of unreality rules out an organic pathology. It is important to assess hearing, because an entity has been defined by musical auditory hallucinations with unreality conscious and with preserved judgment, memory and consciousness, in patients with acquired hearing loss, mainly women and elderly, called by many professionals ACBS. Awareness of this entity by specialists in otolaryngology and psychiatry is essential.

Auditory Charles Bonnet syndrome: case report

“…4,5 Musical hallucinations can occur either acutely or gradually and are commonly perceived as frightening, rather than pleasant. 3,6 As mentioned earlier, the majority of patients are both cognitively and psychiatrically normal. Therefore they are often not associated with other types of hallucinations or concerns about mood, memory, capacity, or perception.…”

“…4 In Charles Bonnet syndrome, treatment of hearing impairment normally leads to resolution of the symptoms. 6 Where the hearing deficit cannot be rehabilitated, listening to ambient background noise, for example, white noise, nature sounds, and the television, can help improve symptoms. The use of psychotropic drugs rarely helps.…”

“…The use of psychotropic drugs rarely helps. 6 It is worth noting that recent research has suggested that patients with Charles Bonnet syndrome are more at risk of developing Lewy body dementia, and screening for any cognitive impairment should be undertaken regularly. 6…”