The Limits of Forensic Psychiatric Expertise in Hearing Loss

Background: The forensic psychiatric evaluation of individuals with hearing impairment aims to determine the diagnosis, etiopathogenesis, and type of hearing loss, by assessing the effects of sensory alteration, correlating them with any possible concurrent speech disorder, as well as with the impact of these alterations on development, from both an evolutionary perspective and, on the other hand, from the standpoint of their effect on the individual’s ability to understand the criminal act committed and the legal implications thereof, particularly with respect to establishing criminal responsibility. Methods: We present a study on patients admitted to the Psychiatry and Safety Measures Hospital Pădureni-Grajduri of Iași County, Romania, and advocates for an understanding of the diagnostic, evaluative, therapeutic, and rehabilitative complexity of such cases, with the involvement of multidisciplinary teams. Results: For all 6 out of 450 patients with hearing loss diagnostic, we identified various characteristics and needs that should be covered in order to facilitate the communication with the forensic psychiatric experts. Conclusions: Forensic psychiatric evaluators (psychologists, psychiatrists, and forensic physicians) have hard time on accurately assessing patients with hearing loss. Qualified professionals-including psychiatrists, audiologists, psychologists, psycho-pedagogues, speech therapists, and interpreters fluent in sign language must be trained to participate in forensic psychiatric evaluations.