Passed hearing test - ummm now what?

[addicted2harleys]

I have never really had hearing problems until this last flare that started 2 months ago.  Now the ringing in my ears is quite a bit louder and in my right ear I have a new intermittent high pitch ringing.  I also have pressure in my ears like they need to pop.  I have no clue if this is related or not, but my eyes are giving me quite a bit or trouble right now, too.  Pressure behind eyes, hurts to move eye balls, blurry vision comes and goes, double vision.

I went to get my hearing tested today and everything came out normal.  Well, honestly I am glad they did, but...

Just like with all this other neuro stuff, just because the test came out normal didn't make my symptoms go away!!

So, now what?  If hearing tests were good, would EP show something that the hearing test didn't that could account for my symptoms?  

I am not sure where I am suppose to go from here and some guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Addi

[Nancy T]

Hi Addi. YES, an auditory evoked potential can show as abnormal even if your hearing is perfectly normal. I know this because it happened to me.

Eleven years ago I had a sudden, severe, permanent hearing loss in my left ear (from sneezing; probably a vascular problem, i.e. a "stroke" in an inner-ear vessel). This was also the year when all my other symptoms started, but that's probably a coincidence.

Anyway, a year later I saw a neuro who specialized in dizziness and hearing. He ordered auditory EPs and they were HIGHLY abnormal--not only in my bad ear, which would be expected with the hearing loss, but in my NORMAL-hearing ear as well.

In fact some of the readings were worse in my good ear, which has perfect hearing.

I never got a diagnosis of anything nor any good explanation for why the AEPs were so bad.

Luckily my hearing remains normal in my right ear even after all these years. Ringing in the ears and other problems does not mean you are going to lose your hearing. But certainly it could be an MS problem.

Good luck--ask your neurologist about getting AEPs. BTW, the site that Red gave (the Chicago neurologist Timothy Hain) is EXCELLENT for everything about dizziness and related problems.

However, they may not be able to correlate your symptoms to any abnormality they may find on AEP testing.

Nancy

[addicted2harleys]

Sarah - I had done a search of the forums for this topic and ran across your messages about this.  I saw that the MRI showed the lesion for you (and I am sorry for that).  Unfortunately this is not an option for me, just yet.  I will not be having any new MRI's done until I go to UCLA and I have no clue when that will be.  I have to call them on the 22nd for an update on my file.  

D - It seems that we keep getting on the same rides at this amusement park we travel.  I was wondering if I should go see an ENT doc.  Even if it isn't neurological, SOMETHING is up with my ears and I wanna know what.  We will know soon about the SS for both of us.  At least it is being checked for now, ya know?

Red - I was wondering about the BAER test.  I just didn't know if it was worth pursuing if my hearing test came back good?  Thanks for the url's.  I will go check those out, too.  I have read up on the BEAR prior to going to the hearing test, but it doesn't hurt to be more informed.  

Thanks,
Addi

[RedFlame]

I was thinking in line with what Sarah said, that it might be more of the neuro/sensorial issues.  As far as the pressure behind your eyes, I can't remember if you have another spinal tap scheduled.  If so, your doc should ask for the opening pressure to see if the intracranial pressure is high.  

Hopefully someone with explain the EP tests.  I found something interesting regarding hearing on a site from the website of a Neurologist/Otolaryngologist in Chicago. He talks about the Brainstem Auditory evoked Responses (BAER)  test.  He does mention MS and some other neuro diseases too.

The BAER measures ear and auditory pathways to the brain.  
http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/testing/baer.htm

This is info. on some of the visual tests
http://wapedia.mobi/en/Evoked_potential

I don't know now plausible the above tests are, it's just something I found while researching stuff for myself.  

Red

[Zacksmomi]

My hearing issue is the same as far at the plugged feeling.  It once lasted for months straight.  Now it comes and goes.  My neuro referred me to an ENT which I canceled due to having like 7 appts and steroid treatment all in the same month.  Plus my ear stopped bugging me completely for a week before so I just canceled.  In hind sight, maybe they would have found SS back in Jan (if they say I have that too) had I kept the appt.

My eyes sound just like yours. Dr says "dry eyes"  causing that one.  But the dry eyes could be neurological so WHEEE!!  Your rollercoaster sure has lots of loops in it. I am sooo sorry.

I wish I had advice for you.  We have got to find you some serious Dr's.  UCLA! UCLA ! UCLA!  (that's my cheer for you :) I hope you get there soon.

D

[Sparkysarah]

My hearing test was also just about normal (slightly down on high sounds on one side). I knew I was not hearing properly, had ringing in ears and tinnitus and neuro examined MRI and said that there was a lesion that accounted for this and is was sensory hearing loss. He said there was nothing he could do to help and my hearing seems to go up and down but is much better than it was.

Sorry not to be able to offer any further suggestions..but if it is neurological, I hope that it improves when flare dies down

Love and hugs

Sarah x