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

[golfgal]

I am hearing impaired and went to 4 different ENT's before someone could give me an idea of why and what to do about it-sudden onset in my case. I would suggest finding another ENT that will investigate further before any permanent damage is done. In the mean time, when our kids were getting a lot of ear infections/fluid our pediatrician had us put them on Dimatap 1/2 dose every 4 hours and boy did that help. I would also make an appointment with an allergy Dr to have him checked for allergies--very common cause of fluid in the ears.

 

[ElizK]

Interesting... I had a similar hearing problem as a child due to fluid and frequent infections. I had tubes put in my ears, and most of the problems cleared up. Back then, though, everyone had their tonsils out and tubes in their ears.

 

[RNMOM]

Both my sons, and even I in my 50's have chronic problems. All I can say is after years of different doctors, the one who helped us the best was the head of peds ENT at University Hospital in Cleveland. As a nurse, I would suggest you seek out the largest teaching hospital you can find in a large city and try to see the top guy.

I don't think it is good that your son has had this reduction in hearing for so long. He must be missing a lot of his education this way.

If you are giving him Claritin plain, it is an antihistamine which will dry him up but not help the mucus drain. Sudafed is a decongestant and will reduce the swelling in the inner ear and allow the fluid to drain into the eustacean tubes. Mucinex is also helpful by liquifying the mucus so it can drain.

If he is otherwise healthy, perhaps giving him a two week trial of sudafed daily, as the packaging recommends for dosing, to see if he gets some results. This would be helpful to report to your doctors as well.

Some of us are just born with narrow ear canals and narrow eustacean tubes. That is why I still have issues at my age.

Good luck. Seek out the very best doctor you can find and see what they say.