Hearing loss and asymmetry in major depression

Y. Yovell, H.A. Sackeim, D.G. Epstein, J. Prudic, D.P. Devanand, M.C. McElhiney, J.M. Settembrino, G.E. Bruder

Department of Biological Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, USA

Received 27 January 1994; revised 24 May 1994; accepted 27 June 1994.

Abstract

To assess patterns of hearing loss and asymmetry in major depressive disorder (MDD), pure-tone and brief-click audiometric thresholds were measured in 59 inpatients with MDD and 40 normal control subjects. For both tasks, patients had higher bilateral thresholds, with marked hearing loss for the highest pure-tone frequency. At lower frequencies, patients displayed significant asymmetry, with poorer hearing in the left ear. After ECT, patients maintained the bilateral hearing losses; however, the baseline asymmetry resolved. These findings suggest that bilateral hearing loss may be a stable characteristic in severe depression. Poorer left ear pure-tone hearing may be present during the depressed state. The baseline asymmetry in audiometric deficits suggests right-hemisphere dysfunction in severe MDD.

Descriptors: Depressive disorders, Audiometry, Acoustic Stimulation, Laterality, Pitch discrimination