OBJECTIVE: This study looked at the impact of hearing deficits on the assessment of psychopathology in geriatric psychiatric patients. Method: Psychiatric functioning and speech discrimination were measured in 21 elderly psychiatric patients in a crossover design. Results: Patients displayed less psychopathology when tested wearing a functioning hearing aid. Conclusions: Gradual hearing loss may confound the assessment of psychopathology in geriatric psychiatric patients. (Am J Psychiatry 1995; 152:629-631)