
Diplacusis, or double hearing syndrome, is a hearing disorder in which the same sound is perceived in different ways between the two ears in terms of intensity, timbre and tonality.
The inefficient connection that is generated between the auditory system and the neurological system means that the person exposed to one sound actually hears two, even at different times, unable to distinguish the source. Living with diplacusis is not easy. Let's explore in what forms it can occur, what are the triggering causes and the possibilities of treatment to preserve the quality of life.
Diplacusis can affect both ears or just one ear. We speak of bilateral diplacusis when the splitting of sound occurs in the two ear canals, while when the hearing loss concerns only one ear we speak of unilateral diplacusis. In both cases, the disorder can be temporary or permanent. Furthermore, based on the characteristics of the altered perception of sounds and noises, diplacusis can be divided into:
The causes of diplacusis can be different and doctors and scientists have not been able to clarify them all yet. The disorder is related to damage to the inner ear and can occur when the person already suffers from sensorineural or conductive hearing loss. Other causes of diplacusis, always related to ear damage, can be found in situations such as:
As with any other ear disease, the possibilities of treating diplacusis are also linked to treating the underlying causes. For this reason, when the first symptoms appear, it is advisable to contact a specialized doctor who, through a series of tests, will investigate the source of the disorder:
Diplacusis can make your hearing less effective. If you have recently started noticing some difficulty hearing well, try our free online hearing test now.