palinacousis

Full Definition

Palinacousis is an auditory perceptual disorder characterized by the continued perception or repetition of sounds after the original acoustic stimulus has ceased. This phenomenon can involve the persistence of speech, music, or environmental sounds, creating an auditory 'echo' that may last seconds to minutes. Palinacousis typically results from temporal lobe lesions, particularly affecting auditory processing areas, and may occur alongside other auditory processing disorders or as part of complex partial seizures.

Usage

Usage note: Distinguish from auditory hallucinations, which lack triggering stimuli.

In Context

• "The patient reported palinacousis, with spoken words continuing to 'echo' for several seconds after conversation ended." — Auditory processing assessment
• "Palinacousis following temporal lobectomy resolved gradually over six months post-surgery." — Post-operative follow-up report