frustrated with son's hearing issues...any advice?

[mtemm]

my son is 7 and a year or so ago we noticed him saying, "what?" and ignoring us occasionally...usually when he was wrapped up in a book or something (he's a voracious reader). we noticed it seemed to come and go, wasn't a constant thing, but happened enough that we were concerned. We weren't sure what to think, but at his well child appt last feb we talked to his ped about it. he did a quick hearing test and DS failed it, so he said come back in a few months and we'll repeat it. We did, and again he failed, so we went to an audiologist.

He failed the test there, too, and she could see a lot of fluid in his ears. His hearing was fine when she tested it going underneath the fluid, but testing directly, going thru the fluid, definitely shows that fluid is the issue. (not sure I'm explaining that well). She told us it might help to put him on claritin for a couple of months then retest. we did, and same result.

went to the ENT in september and he found exactly the same thing. my son's hearing is inherently fine, but there is a lot of fluid. not infections, just fluid. He told us to stop the claritin and to come back after a period of time. we did. same result as before. he really has nothing to offer. he mentioned possibly tubes, but even he didn't seem to want to do them. so really nothing was accomplished by these appointments.

my son seems to hear fine some weeks, not as well others, usually when he is sniffly from a cold or suffering from allergies (seasonal). but he does well in school, the teacher doesn't notice anything, and we rarely notice anything (except as I just stated when he is congested).

He had a hearing screen at school this week (all the kids did) and he failed it.

I just do not know what to do at this point. I am so frustrated. I've taken him to numerous appointments with no real result or solution offered.

has anyone gone thru this? any words of wisdom?

 

[dbogen]

My son had the same thing, although they would infect and we did 2 sets of tubes. We would give him sudafed 3x day to help drain the fluid then someone suggested the Chiropractor. I was skeptable, but said what they heck, I wasn't happy giving meds all the time.

Well in a few weeks the darn fluid was gone. It was explained that if the spine isn't aligned correctally the eustation tubes get pinched and can't drain well ( did you understand that)

I don't know what you feeling is about them, but it worked for me. Oh and my DH was having back/leg pain when sitting so I suggested me make an appointment for him. Low and behold he goes once a month for maintance now, and he no longer thinks that Chiro's are quacks.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I would certainly be concerned about that affecting his language development. At this point, I think you need to seek out a new ENT. What good is the doc if they are going to tell you that something is wrong but refuse to do anything about it? Sometimes you have to shop around until your find a doctor that you are comfortable with and is willing to work with you.

 

[mtemm]

hmmm...that is interesting. honestly I know my sister has had great luck with a chiropractor and some foot issues. will consider it. glad you had luck with it! how old was your son?

my son does not get infections, that is the weirdest part. its just fluid. and I think we are almost at a point where no decision is our decision, ya know? because shuttling around to appts isn't doing anything at all.

sorry, just frustrated.

 

[sue1013]

You said the ENT didn't seem to want to do tubes at that time did you point blank ask him what could be done? If he gave you no answer I'd take him to another ENT. The reason I'm asking if you asked him is I have a few family members that don't ever question the doctor whether they understand or not.

 

[NotUrsula]

You didn't say WHERE the fluid is in his ear, and that makes a big difference. If it's the inner ear, there really isn't much that can be done, but I've got one possibility.

This is going to sound really weird, but Valium. VERY tiny doses of it. I have Meniere's Disease, and my neurologist has me take it because for some strange reason, it helps prevent fluid buildup in the inner ear. (If the fluid is in the inner ear, tubes are useless -- that's for fluid in the middle ear.) The dose that I take is 1/10th the normal single pill strength.

Also, a low-salt diet can help some people. Didn't do squat for me, but I know some folks who swear by it.

When I get a cold, the only thing that works for me is a combination of guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine. If I don't take it, my hearing gets much worse for the duration. They make pills of this for adults, but for a kid you would have to dose the liquid forms of the two meds separately in order to use it. (You CAN buy them in straight form; I do it for my kids. There is still Sudafed pseudoephedrine syrup available from the pharmacy OTC, and plain Robitussin syrup is guaifenesin.)

I have a 25% hearing loss that is cumulative over the years (I'm 46 now, but I've had issues with balance since childhood.) I don't need to wear aids in most settings, but I do read lips, which helps immensely.

 

[jjarman]

I think I am the expert on ears. My son had constant ear infections until he was about 5. 4 sets of tubes. They worked great while they were in but we always knew when they fell out cause he would get an ear infection right away. The last set of tubes he got though was not so much because of infections but because he could not hear. His preschool director told me she tested him 23 times that day. In different rooms around the school. He never heard a tone. Got the last set of tubes and honestly on the way home from the hospital I saw him hitting his ear. I said what is wrong and he said my ear got loud. It was the fluid draining away. Worked like a charm. Now when he was about 11 or so he started having problems with hearing again and he saw several ENTs. None of them could really help. Finally saw the older doctor in this one practice that a friend had recommended. He put him on allergy medicine and it worked wonderfully.

If it was me I would find another ENT. Tubes are such a minor surgery and they work so well for most kids. You just have to be sure and keep water out of their ears but the ENT can give you some really good ear plugs that do the trick. Some ENTs will even take a mold of the child's ears while they are out for the surgery and make custom made ear plugs.

 

[DizBelle]

I like the chiropractor idea. Since he doesn't get infections, I wouldn't want surgery for tubes. The doctors may be thinking that since this a symptomatic (fluid build up due to allergies/sniffles) that as he may "grow out of it" as his physiology changes and as his system changes (things he may be allergic to now, he may not be in a couple years).

Chiropractic treatment non-invasive like surgery is. It is a non system-wide chemical treatment like taking drugs (like an antihistamine or decongestant or valium which may affect his ability to focus).

I do not believe that chiropractic treatment will harm him at all (I see my chiro once a week) but if it may help him, it is definitely worth a try to see if it improves the situation.

It's a relatively small investment too as individual adjustments are around $25 - $35 depending on your chiropractor. It seems like it worth a try for a month to see if there is improvement.

If it doesn't help, the you lose nothing except some $$.

 

[Binnie]

DD 4 has only had 2 sets of tubes, but they have been a godsend! Between that and proper management of her allergies (Nasonex and Allegra everyday!), we've gotten to the point that she has no fluid--and no residual hearing loss.

I agree with other posters about finding another ENT. If they're not willing to work with you, you need a new one. I just had to do this for myself... Ironically, I will now be using my DD's ENT.

 

[PebblesMK]

It could be that fluids don't drain into the throat like normally should happen. My cousin has had tubes and tried everything and upon further inspection, all fluids are draining into her ears. She just had surgery on monday where they shave away part of the inner nose (I'm oh so technical) which will help the drainage issue. I'm sure it's too soon to see how it works out, but that is pretty much the last resort. I know she did the meds and the tubes and acupuncture and a few other things that didn't help. It wouldn't hurt to look into seeing if that is the problem with your son. Good luck to you.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

What kind of ENT are you seeing? The ENT I see is specialist with head and neck surgery plus allergies.

I have been to several ENT's and they are not all the same. I actually saw an ENT in TX (not a specialist or allergist) and he laughed off allergies.

There are crappy doctors out there, so be careful.

 

[bumbershoot]

My son had the same thing, although they would infect and we did 2 sets of tubes. We would give him sudafed 3x day to help drain the fluid then someone suggested the Chiropractor. I was skeptable, but said what they heck, I wasn't happy giving meds all the time.

Well in a few weeks the darn fluid was gone. It was explained that if the spine isn't aligned correctally the eustation tubes get pinched and can't drain well ( did you understand that)

I don't know what you feeling is about them, but it worked for me. Oh and my DH was having back/leg pain when sitting so I suggested me make an appointment for him. Low and behold he goes once a month for maintance now, and he no longer thinks that Chiro's are quacks.

My new fave poster. (of course, I never look at usernames, so I won't remember you 10 minutes from now, sorry about that)

hmmm...that is interesting. honestly I know my sister has had great luck with a chiropractor and some foot issues. will consider it. glad you had luck with it! how old was your son?

Chiro is well known for helping with ear infections and other issues like that. In fact, in chiro school, we're taught that pulling on an ear is a key sign that a baby needs an adjustment of their upper cervical vertebrae (of course one must check the spine to make sure...it's not THE diagnostic method, LOL)...while to an MD, ear-pulling means ear infection.

In fact, it was a deafness issue that brought chiro to the forefront. The founder of non-allopathic spinal manipulation was doing other alternative healthcare methods when he met a janitor who was deaf. The janitor was able to explain that he became deaf after moving in a particular way and hearing a click in his neck, and shortly afterwards he became deaf. The founder of what became chiropractic decided that he'd feel around the janitor's neck, did some unknown manipulations (please note that to me, chiro uses specific adjustments...but b/c Palmer was just messing around, i call that one a manipulation), and the janitor's hearing came back.

Of course, Palmer then thought he'd found the cure for ALL deafness...that was wrong, as not all deafness comes in the same way that this janitor's did, but it paved the way to find out that keeping the spine in alignment helps the body in all ways.



Anyway, take him in to a chiro! See what happens!

 

[sparklynails23]

I would go with the ear tubes and give him a decongestant round the clock when he starts to get a cold or congestion from allergies. Definitely see another ENT.

 

[sparklynails23]

In fact, it was a deafness issue that brought chiro to the forefront. The founder of non-allopathic spinal manipulation was doing other alternative healthcare methods when he met a janitor who was deaf. The janitor was able to explain that he became deaf after moving in a particular way and hearing a click in his neck, and shortly afterwards he became deaf. The founder of what became chiropractic decided that he'd feel around the janitor's neck, did some unknown manipulations (please note that to me, chiro uses specific adjustments...but b/c Palmer was just messing around, i call that one a manipulation), and the janitor's hearing came back.

Of course, Palmer then thought he'd found the cure for ALL deafness...that was wrong, as not all deafness comes in the same way that this janitor's did, but it paved the way to find out that keeping the spine in alignment helps the body in all ways.



Anyway, take him in to a chiro! See what happens!

Palmer thought he could cure lots of things, leprosy for one. He was wrong. While I don't think it will hurt to go to the chiropractor for ear infections. If you have the money to spend and time, go ahead and try it. But when it comes to kids, we as parents need to seek proper medical treatment, even when the first doctor doesn't work out.

 

[mtemm]

You said the ENT didn't seem to want to do tubes at that time did you point blank ask him what could be done? If he gave you no answer I'd take him to another ENT. The reason I'm asking if you asked him is I have a few family members that don't ever question the doctor whether they understand or not.

oh yes I asked. I'm definitely one to ask (unlike my husband, who is much like your family members). he said wait and come back in a few months. again. that seems to be the only course of action offered...wait, come back. since it isn't affecting him and they aren't infected, nobody seems to have any other solutions. I'm at the point where I'm due to call the ent but think I'm going to wait until his well child appt next month when I can talk to his ped again. I just don't see anything changing. will look into a new ent.

 

[mtemm]

thank you all very much! will look into chiro too.

 

[HelenePA]

We are having problems with my 9 yr old but not fluid, she has a major wax problem. She just had "surgery" to remove all of it last week. We go back sometime this month to see if she has actual hearing loss (which I believe she does) or was it just a wax problem. She has always passed her hearing tests but there is something off.. I always find myself talking loudly to her, making sure she looks at me while I talk and stuff like that.. Thankfully our ENT seems wonderful! A second look by a new dr never hurt anyone. Good Luck to both of us!

 

[charming23]

I have never heard about goiing to a chiropracter to help drain the fluid in ears, it is rather interesting.

OP, I had the same issues when I was 7 years old. I had so much fluid in my ears that I was 70% deaf. After months of testing we finally found an ENT that would place tubes in my ears and by the time I woke up I could hear a million times better. In fact I kept yelling at my mom to turn off the humidifier in my room because it was to loud it turns out that she had turned it off and I was hearing the furance running for the first time.

I hope you find a solution to your son's issues. I remember how frustrating it was not being able to hear the things around me.

 

[damren]

My daughter is 11 now, but in Kindergarten when she was 6 the teacher noticed she wasn't speaking correctly and she never heard us as well. She also had ear infections all the time. Our doc referred us to an ear doc and he put tubes in her ears. She had them done twice and that seems to have done the trick. The lackof hearing did impact her speech, but the school we went to had her see a speech therapist twice a week in school and that helped alot.

 

[dbogen]

I just had another thought, when I was 4 I was reading lips. Noone noticed that I wasn't hearing until Mom would ask if I wanted icecream while standing behind me and I didn't answer. When I watched her talk I answered. It had something to do with my aednoids, so out they came with my toncils. Now this was almost 40 years ago, and medicine had changed.

I still say try the Chiro.