What type of hearing loss might occur due to emotional trauma?

Psychogenic hearing loss refers to a type of hearing loss that is primarily related to psychological factors rather than physical damage to the auditory system. Emotional trauma can significantly impact a person's ability to perceive sound, leading to instances where a person may not respond to auditory stimuli due to stress, anxiety, or psychological distress. This condition is often characterized by normal hearing ability in quiet environments but issues when under stress or in more challenging auditory situations.

By recognizing that emotional trauma can lead to alterations in how the brain processes sound, it becomes clear why psychogenic hearing loss is the correct choice in this context. On the other hand, cognitive hearing loss generally involves difficulties related to processing auditory information and cognition, which can stem from various issues but is not directly linked to emotional factors. Conductive hearing loss is associated with physical problems in the outer or middle ear that prevent sound from reaching the inner ear, and central nervous system hearing loss involves damage to the auditory pathways or structures in the brain responsible for hearing, which are distinct from effects arising solely from emotional states.