congested ears

[Fannycraddock79]

Can anyone help with what might happen next? My ds3 was ill in January, I noticed his hearing was slightly worse afterwards but we are now mid May and his hearing is atrocious. I have to repeat most things 6/7 times, he mishears constantly, like a game of Chinese whispers. He turns the tv up really loud as he cant hear it and he can't hear me singing to him (probably a bonus) when he goes to sleep.

The gp referred us to hospital and we had a hearing test yesterday where they said he definitely has decreased hearing and very congested ears and they would refer him immediately to ent.

What will happen next? Is there any treatment they try before gromits?

Thankyou

[Girliefriendlikesflowers]

Hi I have a lot of experience with ENT as my dd has has glue ear since she was 18 months and is now 10yo! They will probably want to recheck the hearing again in a few weeks and then will suggest grommets. This is the quickest way to clear the congestion and will improve the hearing immediately.

My dd has had them twice and the op itself is very quick and painless, the difference in hearing is amazing.

[Fannycraddock79]

Thankyou for your answer, obviously you never want your child to have an op unless absolutely necessary but the grommet op does seem so quick and straightforward that if it will be as amazing as you and others say then I really hope it can be done quickly if they decide it is what he needs. I can't see any other way forward, it has been so long now and hasn't cleared itself that I'm hoping they act quickly.

Did your dd have the grommets twice because they fell out or for another reason?

[Girliefriendlikesflowers]

Yes she had them when she was 2yo but they unfortunately fell out after a year or so and she needed them again when she was 4yo (she also had her tonsills and adenoids out this time as well) The biggest pain with grommets was not being able to swim for several weeks and she did get a few infections. The benefits far outweighed the cons though.