Pure Word Deafness
Auditory verbal agnosia, also known as Pure Word Deafness, is caused by bilateral damage to the posterior superior temporal lobes or disruption of connections between these areas. It exhibits itself as inability to comprehend the meaning of speech, but (in most cases) still being able to hear, speak, read, and write. Individuals that exhibit pure word deafness are usually also able to comprehend non-verbal sounds. Sometimes this agnosia is preceded by complete cortical deafness of varying duration, however this is not always the case. Researchers have documented that in most patients exhibiting auditory verbal agnosia the differentiation of consonants suffers more than that of vowels, but as with most neurological disorders there is variation among patients.
Read more about Pure Word Deafness: Presentation, Causes, See Also
Famous quotes containing the words pure, word and/or deafness:
“So Lycidas sunk low, but mounted high
Through the dear might of him that walk’d the waves,
Where other groves and other streams along
With nectar pure his oozy locks he laves
And hears the unexpressive nuptial song
In the bless’d kingdoms meek of joy and love.
There entertain him all the saints above
In solemn troops and sweet societies,
That sing, and singing in their glory move,
And wipe the tears for ever from his eyes.”
—John Milton (1608–1674)
“Mr. Maguire: I just want to say one word to you. Just one word.
Benjamin: Yes, sir.
Mr. Maguire: Are you listening?
Benjamin: Yes, I am.
Mr. Maguire: Plastics.”
—Calder Willingham (1923–1995)
“By deafness one gains in one respect more than one loses; one misses more nonsense than sense.”
—Horace Walpole (1717–1797)