Worried- son failed hearing test

[tchrchgo]

my son failed his hearing tests both at school and the pediatrician. I have an ENT appt for him next week. I am worried- does anyone know what the steps would be if he fails the hearing test at the ENT also?

 

[rwdavis2]

Depends on how bad. What were the details of the test? They should be able to tell you, by ear, at which frequencies he has the loss and by how many decibels. For example my left ear has 60db loss starting at about 2000hertz. That's pretty significant. In a crowded room I have trouble hearing conversations in that ear. while sleeping on my good ear my wife's voice sounds like mumbles in the bad ear.

Bob

 

[pooh17]

I had the same experience with my son (now 12) when he was 6 years old. He had a significant hearing loss in both ears. His ENT did 2 tests - one was to test the pressure in his ears, and the other was a hearing test (more in depth than what the do in school). I don't recall the medical lingo!

Testing showed that he had too much fluid behind his ear drums. He needed 3 sets of ear tubes over the course of 4 years, but his hearing is now perfect. He never had ear infections or any signs of problems when he was younger, but did have trouble when he started school. Learning to read was very tough for him. And, his K-1st grade teachers thought he had an attention problem when the real problem was that he just couldn't hear what was happening in the classroom.

 

[daughtersrus]

My DD has bilateral hearing loss (it is part of the genetic disease that she has). Her loss was discovered early (she was about 1 1/2yo) so the testing she had would be different.

The ENT will do an exam and probably have you go to the audiologist. If he needs tubes, you might want to ask which type of tube they will use. DD had "regular" tubes in the beginning. These tubes needed to be replaced about every year because they would fall out. Since DD will probably need tubes for her entire life (because she gets fluid), he used something called a "T" tube. These last much longer. The ones right now were put in over 3 years ago (knocking on wood)

The audiologist will probably do a "sound field" test. This is a test were your son will be in a sound-proof booth. They will have him respond to the sounds that are made by raising either his right or left hand depending on which side he hears the sound from. Like others said, they will also do a tympanogram to see how the ear is responding.

If for some reason they are not able to get an accurate assessment, they may suggest an ABR (sometimes called a BEAR). This is the test that my DD had. This test is generally done under sedation because they child needs to be asleep so it's usually only on very young children. The up-side of this test is that it is very accurate.

My DD has moderate hearing loss. Her low tones are at the high end of normal (20db) and the mid and high tones are 60db. She wears bilateral hearing aids.

 

[j&t'sdad]

I had hearing problems when I was that age. Had tubes in my ears 3 times. I grew out of it as I got older.

Hopefully your son will too. Best of luck.

 

[Talking Hands]

I know this may not be popular but if they do find a hearing loss pls let him learn sign language. While he may not need it in smaller calsses in elementary school, it can be invaluble when he gets to larger classes later in his education. Background noise in classes can really cause you to miss important information the teacher is giving. Having the support of an interpreter to fill in what is missed is a great help. Sign language does keep him from using English, it just will give him another tool to get information that he can miss in a noisy situation.
I have a moderate loss and find that interpreters are a great help in large conferences and for shows.

 

[tchrchgo]

thanks for all of the information. I don't think his hearing difficulties will necessitate sign language- I think it's mainly low sounds he doesn't hear. he chimes in on my private conversations from across the room.

he had tubes in his ears at 3 yrs old, but they fell out. sounds like he made need them again.

In addition to the ENT appt next week, I also made an appt with the allergist in case the fluid in his ears is caused by his allergies.

thank you again for all of the input.

 

[C.Ann]

Try not to worry too much.. There can be many reasons for this - and not all of them are terribly serious..

 

[lovesmurfs]

First, take a deep breath and don't panic. Your son's the same son you've been living with and love. That hasn't changed (but you'll start making some AHA connections).

My DD9 has the same thing -- her hearing problem is weird in that it's in both ears, right at the 2000 level, speech tone. The ENT will check to make sure the ears are healthy, and redo the hearing tests. If they're consistent with the school's test (our school sent us to the audiologist first), then the ENT will tell you next steps.

Start your paperwork trail and stay organized with a good filing system. Keep all reports, and only give copies to the treatment team members.

This disability can and will affect his learning, and you should start doing some research about services the school is required by law to provide to him. I would talk to the teacher, and look up the process for requesting a service team review of your child's progress in class.

My DD's hearing loss is insignificant (and she has a very loud teacher this year), so we were denied the IEP (Individualized Education Plan) under section 504 this year. The paperwork's started, though, so that if it is degenerative or if she gets a softer-spoken teacher next year, we have everything ready to go for special services if necessary. You're your child's best (and often only) advocate, so get your ducks in a row as you prepare to ask the school for services to which he's entitled.

For us, the school's audiologist sees her every six months, and the ENT wants to see her every six months, so she's basically having a detailed hearing test quarterly.

Ask questions. Write them down before you go to the appointment, so that you don't forget them. Hang in there.

 

[merekc]

All good advice. I was just going to chime in with a good luck. My DS6 was diagnosed with mild loss in both ears at birth. He has worn hearing aids since he was 4 months old. When he doesn't have his aids in you don't even realize he needs them (other than his speech is not as clear as his peers). For us after we got over the initial shock, we realized there are worse things that could happen (in the whole scheme of things).

 

[LisaNJ25]

thanks for all of the information. I don't think his hearing difficulties will necessitate sign language- I think it's mainly low sounds he doesn't hear. he chimes in on my private conversations from across the room.

he had tubes in his ears at 3 yrs old, but they fell out. sounds like he made need them again.

In addition to the ENT appt next week, I also made an appt with the allergist in case the fluid in his ears is caused by his allergies.

thank you again for all of the input.

my 9yo daughter went though the same thing last year. It was due to fluid in the Ear. She had a tube placed in the one ear in August. It just fell out this past August. She is fine now.

 

[MoniqueU]

We just got back from the audiologist yesterday and go back to the ENT Tuesday. The audiologist did a word test, a sound test and one other thing that looked like a blue tooth behind the ears. My son is 15.5 and was diagnosed with 40 to 50 percent hearing loss. They said it was hereditary and that it was nerve damage. We knew he was having trouble but I never dreamed it would be that bad. They said he must be very smart to be in a college prep school and getting the grades he is. Right now all As and Bs, last year not as well but he was transitioning from publicc school with different expectations into high school with different expectations and philosophy.

Anyway we have tons of questions and I am sure you do too. Try not to panic they told us there are many surgeries that can help with hearing loss, we were hoping for those over aids but we will deal with this. They do have hearing aids that go inside the ear canal and aren't really visible. We are going to hope those will work for our son.
Please hang in there no matter what.

 

[PatsMom]

OP - not sure how old your son is but when DD was 6 or 7 she failed her hearing test at school and at the doctor's. We went to an audiologist who also found some issues. When we went to the ENT, it turned out that her adenoids were so enlarged they were interfering with her hearing. She is fine now. HOpefully your son has something similar or something others have mentioned like fluid in the ears. Good luck - I know the waiting for all the appointments is hard.

 

[Val]

My DD11 has bilateral mixed loss- both conductive and sensorineural...she wasn't diagnosed until age 5. She wears hearing aids in both ears, signs some, and uses an FM unit in school. She has an IEP and is a straight A student in regular 5th grade!

An invaluable source for all of you starting this journey with hearing loss is http://www.listen-up.org/basics.htm. There is also a yahoo email group.....tell your story, get advice, and read stories about how well kids with hearing loss can do! I have found shoulders to cry on, people who get the "special" accomplishments that hard of hearing kids have, and so forth......almost as good as our dear ol' DIS.

I have learned SO much in the 6 years since DD11 was diagnosed. We still have an uncharted path; she has had over 10 surgeries (I have lost count), 8 sets of tubes, 3 sets of ear drum rebuilds, a tumor removed and diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder likely behind her hearing loss (on top of otosclerosis and other issues)....but she is happy, healthy and doing well. Finding support via Listen-up and local state chapters of Hands and Voices has been such a blessing. Good luck with your journey.....and remember, your child is still your child, even if they have a legitimate reason for not hearing you!!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Get rid of his Ipod and anything else which uses earphones.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I failed a hearing test when I was 3 at a health fair (my sister failed her eye test.. my parents were like dear god..). From what I've gathered over the years, there was fluid that was traveling in between both ears and I had trouble hearing certain decibel levels (particularly the level of adult speech). My mother fought hard to make sure I did not get tubes, and it was something (with the help of some sort of medication) that I eventually just grew out of. Things will be fine, promise

 

[bean]

I just wanted to send good thoughts your way. I'm a speech pathologist whose specialty is in working with children with hearing loss. I work with children who use cochlear implants or hearing aids and are learning to listen and speak (generally no sign language). If it is a minor issue of fluid the surgery for PE tubes is a very minor one. I know any surgery is major when it is your child however. My own child had this same surgery when she was 4 and the recovery is minimal and the results very good. If there is a hearing loss your audiologist will be able to answer questions about hearing aids and the type of hearing loss. Devices such as FM systems are wonderful for dealing with background noise in noiy classrooms. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I agree with the PP about the listen-up web site! It's awesome and has a vast amount of info for parents and professionals. Best of luck to you and your family.

 

[matthew&haleysmom]

My DD,8, has a bilateral moderate hearing loss. She has worn hearing aides since she was 2 months old. She continues to work on ASL also. Her speech is flawless. She has a 504 for school and we had difficulty with a school nurse not wanting to give her her hearing aide batteries. Besides that one issue, school has never been an issue.

Hopefully, the ENT will provide you with all of the information you need.
Remember, if your child does have a hearing loss, it will likely impact their education. Make sure you stay on top of your child's reading progress. A hearing loss will not define who your child is, it will just become part of who they are.

My DD is a perfectionist. She has failed every hearing test she has ever taken. Last week, we visited her audiologist and she failed yet another hearing test. She was so upset. I asked her what was wrong. She told me she hates to fail anything!! She ten proceeded to tell me that one day she will just pass that test! She realizes that she will never hear normally;however, she has convinced herself there is a way around that test!

 

[MoniqueU]

In our case we were told the IPOD is ok. Just not at full volume or for prolonged periods of time. My sons hearing loss appears to be hereditary and has nothing to do with anything else. He just got his itouch last christmas and there is no way on earth it caused 50 percent hearing loss in that time. I am glad they said he could still use it. I wouldnt want to take anything else away from him. He is dealing with enough right now.

My one question I want the dr or someone to answer is if his hearing will get worse later down the line. If his loss is so great at his age, what doest the future hold?

 

[matthew&haleysmom]

In our case we were told the IPOD is ok. Just not at full volume or for prolonged periods of time. My sons hearing loss appears to be hereditary and has nothing to do with anything else. He just got his itouch last christmas and there is no way on earth it caused 50 percent hearing loss in that time. I am glad they said he could still use it. I wouldnt want to take anything else away from him. He is dealing with enough right now.

My one question I want the dr or someone to answer is if his hearing will get worse later down the line. If his loss is so great at his age, what doest the future hold?

Have you asked the specialist that question? DD's ENT told us that her condition will probably remain stable. He would not say that until she had 5 years of testing that stayed the same. It can be frustrating! They do not know what caused the loss. Due to this, DS,4, has to have yearly tests with the audiologist.

DD has an Ipod. Her ENT told me absolutely NO ear buds. She wears regular old headphones. We monitor the volume carefully.

I hope you find some answers about your son.