Phonagnosia

Phonagnosia is a rare condition in which a person can engage in normal conversation and understand what is said but cannot identify the person speaking. The inability to recognize voices can be caused by stroke or brain damage.

Recently a new discovery has been made. The first known case of someone born with phonagnosia has just been documented by researchers at University College London [UCL]. A 60-year-old woman, known as KH, has suffered from the condition from an early age. She is unable to recognize even her own daughter's voice on the telephone. She can appreciate music and pick out different songs and instruments, but she usually can't identify the singer.

KH always knew she couldn't do what others could, but it wasn't until she read an article on prosopagnosia, the inability to recognize faces, that she realized she may have a vocal version of the condition.

Researchers at UCL are seeking others who may be phonagnosic. Contact Dr. Brad Duchaine by phone: +44 (0)20 7679 1005 or email: b.duchaine@ucl.ac.uk.

via neural.it