Hearing test -confused...

[Aliway]

I took my 3.10 year old ds for a hearing test today. He passed the test, although when his ears were examined he had a reddened left ear(this was done prior to his hearing test) and when he had the impedance test the left ear was found to have more fluid than the right side which was normal. The thing is, there were 2 audiologists, one said at the beginning of the appointment prior to testing his hearing that he would need to be seen by an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist because of his reddened ear. The other one at the end of the appointment said watch to see if his hearing seems to be deteriorating and come back if so, she said no further involvement medical or otherwise was needed.
To give a bit of background he was referred because he is having some difficulties sounding out his phonics and shouts a lot and asks for words to be repeated- fairly often.
Would be grateful to hear from others who have had a similar experience or advice

That is mad, why should any one worry about a child who isn't even four years old not being able to sound out phonics. He isn't even in reception yet!

It sounds like that your lo has an ear infection, and a visit to the GP is more appriopiate than an ent consultant.

Glue ear is very common in pre school children unfortunately. ENT surgeons are reluctant to put in grommets unless the child really cannot hear as grommets carry risks.

My son had grommets becuase of very delayed speech at 3 and half. His grommets got badly infected and fell out quite quickly. When the glue ear returned he had hearing aids for 18 months.

A tip for the future, its well worth asking for a copy of your child's audiogram. The main thing is that a child can hear the sounds of speech. the national deaf children's society have a good explanation of audiograms on their website. Sometimes a child can hear a particular sound frequency with one year and not the other. Provided a child can hear with both ears many ent surgeons prefer watchful waiting. I know from painful experience that grommets carry risks.

Don't fret about reading, he is still really little.

Thank you ever so much that has been very helpful. They said that his results were around 20- what ever that means, and mentioned at the time that he would have passed the standard tests performed for older children in year one with flying colours. I was not worried in the slightest...until the nursery mentioned it! Have now decided not to think of it and be glad that he is ok :)

Hmm. Pre school have mentioned it too - about my 3.9 year old. We await a date for the test. They must have targets to meet . We don't believe he has a problem.

My 2 1/2 year old isn't talking at all and has a date to be tested in April.

What does the test involve?

The HV has also referred them both for SALT!

I foresee loads of appointments!

The hearing test was essentially a number of different noises at different frequencies and he was asked when he heard a noise he was to place a wooden ring on a toy stand iyswim. He then had a impedance test where they check to see if there is fluid behind the ear drum as this can affect hearing. Ds was sent by a SLT and also given the all clear, she is going to write a report and send it to the nursery. I think you are right about targets but, I have to say I am pleased I have tackled it and can put it to bed now.
SKYTVADDICT - good luck for your lo's appointments.

DS 'failed' his hearing test three times before he got referred to an ENT surgeon. Even if something is wrong I think they prefer to see if ti clears up by itself. I know that they need 9 months of ba results here to move you onto the grommet list