I thought I’d post an update about my five year old and his hearing loss. As recommended by our audiologist, we contacted our pediatrician to catch him up on all of the recent developments and get a referral for an ENT. Of course, he insisted we come in to make sure my son didn’t have any fluid in his ear. I was not particularly enthused. Sure, after 3 exams (with ear checks) over a period of months, our pediatrician would suddenly find fluid and that alone would explain his hear loss? I was doubtful and annoyed he would be taking another co-pay from us – but we went along none the less.
(Because, for real, what the hell do I know about all this anyway?)
And guess what our pediatrician found? Fluid. In fact he found a significant amount in his left ear particularly. Clear fluid, not infected fluid, but it is chronic enough – he thinks – to cause this sort of hearing loss. So, yes, he needs to see an ENT. He thinks that sort of fluid could even be related to an allergy issue. Perhaps once this fluid is cleared up, his hearing issues will be resolved.
*Blink*
What? But the audiologist examined him and his ears thoroughly. And these tests have taken place over a period of months. We’ve never heard anything about fluid. (And if it was fluid, could he have had fluid in there all this time?) We were told that his ears were healthy, he responded well to the tests and the results showed that this loss was most likely permanent. We were told that it will affect how he learns at school. And that we’d need plans and procedures and all sort of official paper work done.
Clearly, there are differing opinions. (Those with experience in the medical world are shocked, I am sure.)
So off to the ENT we go. For a third opinion. I am very curious what he’ll have to say now. And while we wait to for our appointment, we’re working on clearing up this fluid with some Claritin.
(It can’t all be as simple as that, can it? Just clearing up some fluid? Shaking my head here. But we’ll see…)
Meanwhile, my kid goes along with it all, shrugging his shoulders at the whole bit. And apart from falling apart alone in the car after dropping him off at school that morning (only hours after hearing the news) I have taken cues from my son and really relaxed about it all myself. I am new to all of this and only just learning what it means to have any degree of hearing loss. But thanks to friends and family alike giving me their personal insight, I have learned that life with a hearing loss is doable. Obviously its doable. Hes been doing it all along as it is. At this point, I just want to know what the situation is so that if accommodations are needed, they are made. That’s all.
I get how minor this is in the grand scheme of it all – believe you me.
And if I was worked up about his potential hearing loss for those few hours after I heard the news, cut me some slack. When a mother finds out news about her children’s health – no matter what it is – it takes a moment to regroup.
But back to the point, my kid is great. Who knows what that left ear of his is up to. But right now, he is heading into school today to show his class a project he did about asteroids. I am extraordinarily proud of him. Did you know the biggest asteroid is about as wide as Florida? Did you know that some asteroids have moons? I can’t wait to find out how it goes.
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11 comments ↓
Wow, it could be reversible? What potentially good news. Hope the Claritin does the trick.
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I feel for you. And have been there too. We were told that my second (baby) son was ‘likely’ to be deaf by 2 doctors who referred us to the specialist who could only fit us in a month later for full screening. In that month we had prepared ourselves for the schooling and myriad other issues which would need to be done. My 2 near-deaf parents were dealing with that too.
Then we had the final appointment, and it turns out my son could hear perfectly. I fell apart in the car after *that*.
While it doesn’t make a difference to how you love your child, it changes the way that you see your future, as well as their future. Of course hearing loss is what it is, not something that will cause your child ongoing physical pain etc. But it shakes you up when there’s a possible medical thing to deal with, and even more so if it’s effects are going to be long-lasting.
What an awesome calling it is for parents who deal with all kinds of health issues with their gorgeous kids every day, and who simply need to just take it in their stride. Thanks for sharing this post. *hug*
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What an ordeal! I *hope* it turns out to be as simple as clearing the fluid with an allergy medication! Good luck at the next appt! You’ll get through it, one day at a time!
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Might be both: Sensorineural (nerve) hearing .AND. a conductive loss from fluid buildup from clogged Eustachian tubes (common this time of year).
ENT or audiologist will run a quick tympanometer (eardrum mobility) test to check for fluid or other middle ear problem.
Then, the audiologist or nurse will run a hearing test with the headphones (if your son will sit still) and with a “bone conduction” test to determine difference (gap) (if any) to determine loss in middle ear. Bone conduction uses a small vibrating gadget placed just in front of or behind ear (occasionally on forehead (Weber test) & test for thresholds.
Difference between air & bone thresholds is conductive gap; and treatable by ENT to close gap.
Nerve deafness = hearing aids if more than 15 dB loss; some audiologists fit kids if hearing levels reach 15 db, if child is having trouble understanding speech.
Some HMO’s cover kids hearing aids, some don’t. But, payment to dispenser is pretty low, so you can either take low-priced instruments or pay the difference for better ones.
Lots of parents can provide support on the Internet:
Paula Rosenthal @HearingExchange on Twitter has an excellent website:
hearingexchange.com/
Also, follow & tweet Karen @DeafMom
Joan Celebi @JoanCelebi
Lynna Kay Parker @lynnakay
Michelle @ewebsmart
@HelpingKidsHear
Oh, one more thing: Any hearing aid dispenser can also perform air & bone tests, usually for free. Many others add free screenings as May is Better Hearing & Speech Month at ASHA.org
Hearing aid dispensers (especially in Florida) often get “secret shoppers” to verify business ethics, especially after the 60 Minutes “Grambo” fiasco back in 1993. [Secret shopper faked a hearing loss & got caught; though it drove the dispenser out of the business with his disgust.]
Hope this helps!
Dan
My nephew had some speech delays from fluid in his ears that cleared up with tubes and surgery when he was about 14 months old.
With S, we’ve also experienced tons of conflicting diagnoses and opinions with doctors. It’s pretty crazy and frustrating.
I hope the claritin ends up helping!!
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Hoping the Claritin clears his ears and he hears well again!
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So good to hear that little piece of good news.
And no matter what it is- no matter how small in the grand scheme of things it is you have a right to feel what you feel.
:) Have a great day!
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Hopefully it is just fluid. My youngest has sensorineural hearing loss moderate/severe. I wish it was just fluid. Both of my boys have tubes in their ears and it makes a big difference in the amount of ear infections. Maybe you should look into those? Good luck!!
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