The Role of a Family History in King Kopetzky Syndrome (Obscure Auditory Dysfunction)

Abstract

King Kopetzky Syndrome (KKS) is a common condition in which individuals with normal audiograms complain of hearing difficulties, particularly in noisy places. Several studies have shown many patients with KKS to have a family history of hearing problems. In 82 consecutive patients with KKS and normal middle ear function, we compared the performance of those with and without a family history of hearing impairment on a number of sensitized tests. Those with a family history were more likely to have notches on Audioscan testing (p<0.005) and these notches were broader than those found in patients with no family history (p<0.05). There was also a tendency for those with a family history to be more likely to have notches on DPOAEs (p<0.07), and the reproducibility of the TOAEs was poorer in those with a family history. Psychological testing showed males with a family history to have higher scores on free-floating anxiety (p<0.01) and obsessionality (p<0.05).