title: Failure of a binaural comprehension deficit to select responders to earplug use in schizophrenia.
abstract: Previous studies have suggested that on the Auditory Comprehension Test, a significant proportion of schizophrenics demonstrate a binaural comprehension deficit. To test whether wearing an earplug in their more poorly performing ear would be beneficial, we studied 34 in-patient schizophrenics and noted a binaural deficit in 12 (35%). Of these, eight patients subsequently wore an earplug in each ear for at least one week. We found no effect of the earplug on psychopathology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Luchins
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dyson
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hanrahan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blake
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001308:Auditory Perceptual Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D004423:Ear / Q000502:physiology*; D004430:Ear Protective Devices; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index