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Really simple way is to check the speech frequencies through 'ling sounds' say them without letting your child lip read and they need to repeat back or drop a coin in a pot when they hear them - no lip reading or visual clues (sit behind) then say, oooo, eeee, ah, shhh, sssss, mmmm one by one.

Just to add...I went through this when my DDs new school wanted to assess her aged 7....they thought she had autistic traits but I knew she was just shy. I let them assess her as to be honest, it's a good thing when institutions want to help children....they found no issues at all. Other than she's very bright and very shy.

It's really worth going along to set your mind at rest, otherwise you'll always wonder if he's getting on ok.

How do you know his hearing is fine? I am partially deaf, and no-one noticed for a while either.

I would go too....some people have to wait a long time for speech and language appointments and if there's no need for him to have further appointments, the therapist will tell you. The HV may have noticed that your DS just needs a little bit of help....it's very, very common nowadays as they like to catch things very early on and then they don't have any trouble when they begin school.

I would say that it's not unusual for a parent not to notice even quite substantial hearing loss. That's what ENT said to us. We didn't realise how well ds compensated until he had his first set of grommets.

For example his cute little trick of patting your cheek when talking to him, we thought was just wanting full attention (being the youngest of 3 dc) and just "him". Turned out he was turning our face so he could lip read

It's worth being tested just so that you can relax on that score.

I would go- no harm in having him tested and it's great that we have such thorough care for children- I'd make the most of what the NHS gives us. The assessment would be 100s of £ privately.

Sounds odd.

We were referred for a hearing test (paediatrician recommended it due to unclear diction) and I thought it was pointless as DS's hearing seemed fine. It turned out he had glue ear and there were quite a lot of sounds he couldn't hear.

She didn't tell me. I was told it was her referral when I called them to ask about the letter (god, that sounds complicated). I'll take him anyway, it can't hurt and would ease that worry I now have in the back of my mind.

Travel costs aren't horribly high, but I don't have much money this close to Christmas...

How weird, when DC2 had her 2.5 year check she refused to speak to the HV, but I just told HV what words she could say and it was left at that. HV took me at my word (my dd also wouldn't shut up at home but was quiet when around strangers). Did your HV say she was referring your DS purely because she hadn't heard him speak?

Sorry, X post, WELL, you could just ignore and cancel the appointment. It's not compulsory.

I don't think HVs often do these things flippantly. Are your travel costs high?

That's the thing, though. He doesn't have speech issues. He's shy and won't talk to strangers (like HV, who we only see once every six months), but when it's people he knows, he never shuts up...

ds had a hearing test prior to getting speech therapy - I would think it is standard so as to rule out hearing problems which could be linked to speech issues. I didnt have to pay for the hearing test or the speech therapy.

It's paying for transport...and I have to drag DS on the bus. Fun fun fun...

Myself and my brother had these done and were fine. Surprised you have to pay?

My Ds (2.6) has been referred to SALT and it seems to be automatic that they book in for a hearing test too. I don' think there is anything wrong with his hearing either but best to have all bases covered. Hearing apt tomorrow, paedatrician (sp) next week but SALT not till Feb

Yousevered What was the problem with your DDs hearing? If you don't mind me asking.

Yes I said I was a bit worried about dd speak so referred and they make you do a hearing test first. I go in all there's nothing wrong with her hearing and there was

But he doesn't need it. His hearing is fine, and he does talk some. Not a massive amount, at 2 and a half, but not so little as to worry me. But HV has referred him, and I'm extremely ticked off. I'll now have to fork out to go have these tests done, only to be told there's no problem. I think. I hope

Just generally cheesed off. Has anyone else had this happen?