What does pseudohypacusis refer to?

Pseudohypacusis refers to a condition where an individual pretends or exaggerates hearing loss. This phenomenon can occur for various reasons, including psychosocial factors or a desire for special attention or benefits associated with being deaf or hard of hearing.

Understanding pseudohypacusis is essential for professionals who work with deaf and hard of hearing students, as it can impact assessments and educational planning. In educational settings, recognizing that a student may be feigning or amplifying their hearing difficulties allows for more appropriate interventions and communication strategies to be employed.

The other options refer to specific types of hearing loss or causes, such as physical obstructions (earwax), environmental factors (noise-induced), and genetic factors (inherited hearing loss), but they do not apply to the concept of feigned hearing loss, which is the essence of pseudohypacusis.