Hi,
I have had two recent audiograms - one last spring, one in August. I had these because I had been noticing that it had become very difficult for me to hear in crowded settings, and hard to hear especially men's voices.
The first showed near-normal hearing in my left ear (right about 20dB), except in the low frequencies (1000-500 Hz), where the hearing was about 30dB. In my right ear, the hearing was about 25 dB, except in the lower frequencies (1000-250 Hz) where it was about 40 dB.
At the first appointment, the ENT suspsected Meniere's Disease, because I'd been having episodes of vertigo/tinnitus/hearing loss/full feelings in both ears. He did the audiogram & ordered further testing. However, I didn't go back for any more testing, because at the same time, the neurologist I had seen for the problem first told me that it was all due to conversion disorder & stress (he'd done MRI's & EMGs). So rather than wasting time & having more negative results, I figured I'd just wait the symptoms out.
I then started seeing a therapist.
After a few months, the symptoms did get better, all except the hearing loss.
It kept seeming worse, so I went to the audiologist again. The second test showed a slight worsening of the hearing in each ear, but pretty close.
What I'm wondering is - is it possible that this hearing loss is due to conversion disorder? If so, is it possible that it will improve?
Also, is it possible that I've always had it? I had hearing tests in school. I was 6 weeks premature w/jaundice.
Could it be medication related? I have taken Depakote (for bipolar disorder) which I have heard could cause this type of thing?
What else could cause that?
Thank you!