Adult Diagnostic (AD)
Jodi Baxter, AuD (she/her/hers)
Clinical Assistant Professor - Audiology
The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
Financial Disclosures: I do not have any relevant financial relationships with anything to disclose.
Non-Financial Disclosures: Volunteer for the American Academy of Audiology, Ohio Academy of Audiology, Ohio Speech and Hearing Government Affairs Coalition
Ever have a patient insist they experience changes in tinnitus, hearing, or balance related to their menstrual cycle? An exacerbation of symptoms during pregnancy? Did you feel ignorant on if these could be correlated?
This poster will review a clinical case of a patient diagnosed with unilateral Meniere’s Disease. The patient’s hearing loss progressed rapidly and the patient insisted that each episode was closely tied to hormonal changes.
The poster will review the evidence available indicating various hormones and their potential relationship on the inner ear and consequently, hearing, balance, and tinnitus, with emphasis on research specific to Meniere’s Disease.
Summary:
This poster will review a multi-year clinical case of a young, female patient diagnosed with unilateral Meniere’s Disease, whose primary complaint was significantly bothersome tinnitus. The patient’s hearing loss progressed rapidly over the course of a couple of years. The patient insisted that each episode was closely tied to hormonal events. Examples of this include stressful events such as her wedding, changes in her menstrual cycle related to changes in birth control, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. This patient was desperate for answers and due to lack of knowledge from all healthcare providers involved, was unable to get them.
The poster will review the research and evidence available indicating various hormones and their potential relationship on the inner ear and consequently, hearing, balance, and tinnitus. Emphasis will be placed on the limited research specific to Meniere’s Disease.
This is a topic area that is not commonly taught to clinical audiologists and likely knowledge level is low among practicing audiologists. However, knowledge on the potential hormonal effects on the inner ear and hearing and balance will provide clinical value for the purposes of counseling patients. Additionally, for the purposes of future research could generate more interest in this topic.