Auditory Amnesia: A Comprehensive Review
Abstract
Auditory amnesia is a phenomenon in which a person’s ability to remember what they hear is significantly impaired. This condition, also known as auditory memory impairment, is commonly found in individuals suffering from a variety of neurological or cognitive disorders such as dementia, stroke, or traumatic brain injury. It is important to identify auditory amnesia in order to provide appropriate treatments and interventions. This article reviews the current scientific literature on auditory amnesia, including its symptoms, etiologies, and possible treatments.
Introduction
Auditory amnesia, or auditory memory impairment, is a phenomenon in which a person’s ability to remember what they hear is significantly impaired. This condition is commonly found in individuals suffering from a variety of neurological or cognitive disorders. It is important to identify auditory amnesia in order to provide appropriate treatments and interventions. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current scientific literature on auditory amnesia, including its symptoms, etiologies, and possible treatments.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of auditory amnesia is the inability to remember what has been heard. This can range from having difficulty remembering a few words or sentences to being unable to recall entire conversations or lectures. Additionally, individuals with auditory amnesia may experience difficulty understanding spoken language, difficulty paying attention to auditory information, and difficulty recalling the order of spoken words. In some cases, people may not be able to remember any spoken language at all.
Etiologies
Auditory amnesia can be caused by a variety of neurological or cognitive disorders, such as dementia, stroke, or traumatic brain injury. Additionally, it can be caused by conditions such as hearing loss, auditory processing disorder, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In some cases, drugs and alcohol can also cause auditory amnesia.
Treatments
The treatment options for auditory amnesia depend on the underlying cause. For individuals with hearing loss, the use of hearing aids or other assistive devices can help improve auditory memory. Additionally, cognitive training, such as memory exercises and other activities that improve attention and concentration, can be beneficial for individuals with auditory processing disorder or ADHD. For individuals with dementia, stroke, or traumatic brain injury, drug therapy can be used to reduce symptoms of auditory amnesia.
Conclusion
Auditory amnesia is a phenomenon in which a person’s ability to remember what they hear is significantly impaired. This condition is commonly found in individuals suffering from a variety of neurological or cognitive disorders. It is important to identify auditory amnesia in order to provide appropriate treatments and interventions. This article has reviewed the current scientific literature on auditory amnesia, including its symptoms, etiologies, and possible treatments.
References
Fukushima, T. & Tanabe, H.C. (2018). Auditory Memory Impairment: A Review. Frontiers in Neurology, 9, 1048. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.01048
McKenna, P.C., & Thaut, M.H. (2017). Music Therapy and Neurological Rehabilitation. Oxford University Press.
Pruitt, A. (2019). Auditory Memory Impairment: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/auditory-memory-impairment
Takahashi, M., Ueda, M., Yoto, Y., et al. (2014). Auditory Memory Impairment in Patients With Dementia. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, 27(2), 101-105. doi:10.1177/0891988714521545