Audio Subsystem Crashes in Menu

Windows 10

Geforce GTX 1070

RME HDSPe AIO PCIe Soundcard with ASIO Driver

Audio subsystem crashes and all audio turns off in the game menu about one minute after clicking continue to enter the menu. Audio from other applications will also crash when apex is running.

Menu sounds will disappear after one minute and the audio from other applications will turn off. Starting a game does not bring sound back.

Audio from the PC and other applications will come back immediately after apex closes.

Game worked fine for the past 7 years. The last time I tried to log in and play was about five months ago and the problem was occurring then.

Videos demonstrate the bug.

I have installed, reinstalled, verified installation files both on steam launcher and on the EA App. I have disabled sound devices both in the settings  menu and in the device manager independently to see if any sound device will work; however, my computer freezes if i don't use the soundcard in my pcie slot. i cant really tell if i have audio or not with my motherboard soundcard. I have verified the registry keys of my audio drivers and their installations. i have changed the sample rate and the buffer size to all possible usable combinations. 

I have done what i think i could do before creating this ticket. this is not some misguided attempt to complain about the game. i can play every single game on my pc just fine. this is the only game that will not run properly and i need help because i want to play the game.