Hearing Loss & SPD: A Possible Connection?

by Noam Blauer
(Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

I'm 15 years old, and was diagnosed with SPD at the age of 9 by my OT. Though I definitely pull myself together to perform exceptionally well in school (way above average), I do struggle at times and definitely possess many characteristics that are common of the disorder.

For much of my life, I have been having intermittent hearing problems. There have been weeks where my poor hearing has heavily affected me, and other times, where I feel like I can hear perfectly fine. Often (but definitely not too regularly), I experience a ringing or buzzing in my ears that goes away after a very short period.

My OT wrote in my Occupational Theory Report (from about 6 years back): "Parents report that Noam's that's me hearing his lower. In session, he did not always respond to his name and our verbal instruction which brings questions concerning his auditory processing." (Note: Don't critize my old OT's for her English skills; she was francophone!)

Last year, I was extremely congested for a lengthy period of time, and my hearing was definitely suffering as well. An audiologist reported me to have mild-to-severe hearing loss, due to the possible irregular pressure in my ears. After taking some Nasonex to clear the bodily pathways, my hearing improved significantly and another hearing test later confirmed the improvement.

Is it possible though that for much of my life I have been mistaking hearing loss for auditory hyposensitivity? My hearing problems have always been more noticed by others than myself, though I cannot deny that they have been anything but absent. I do still say "what" alot immediately after people say things, when I know that if I thought for another moment or two, I could make it register in my brain.

So, what do you think?

Sincerely,
Noam