1 year old with hearing loss

[NoodleBugs]

DS is one next week and doens't babble at all. He shouts 'AAA' a lot, but isn't able to make any other sounds - No dada, mama, baba, gaga etc.

GP referred for a hearing test which found moderate hearing loss in both ears. They don't appear to have noted that he had meningitus at 3 months (although I did mention it).

They don't seem at all concerned and put in the letter that they put it down 'mum reporting him to be very congested'. I didn't. He had a bit of a snotty nose, but wasn't at all unwell. No temp etc.

I know that colds can affect hearing temporarily, but I'm very worried that his hearing loss is due to the meningitus rather than a cold. I'm also worried that 'moderate' lever hearing loss is actually quite significant and no one seems at all bothered.

Any ideas what my next steps are? They've said they might do another test in 3 months time but that seems like a long time in terms of development. If he does have moderate hearing loss I want to be able to try and help him now, rather than months later. They haven't given us a date for another appointment, and haven't written in the report that they want to see him again.

Has anyone got any experience of hearing loss in babies? And any thoughts on what I should do now?

Hi, speak to GP again and ask for second opinion. In the meantime, start on Makaton signs if you can - it is helpful for language development if there is no hearing loss, and even more if there is. Try to get appointment with Ear Nose Throat specialist but all waiting lists are very long, and you will have to be patient. In the meantime, make sure your baby sees you face to face when you talk so he can see your face and lips when you talk, and use short sentences and repeat key words. Do lots of babbling yourself, and whenever he makes a sound, try to imitate him. Try making lots of animal sounds and car sounds etc so that he can try to imitate a variety of sounds.

With the correct hearing tests, the consultant should know if this loss is caused by nerve damage in the inner ear or from congestion.

If it's nerve damage from the meningitis, he should be fitted with hearing aids ASAP.

From your description, it sound like your concerns were ignored or brushed off by the consultant - so unless he stated to you "no eveidence of nerve damage", go to your GP, explain your concerns and ask for a referal for a 2nd opinion or more tests.

Moderate loss is certainly significant in terms of language development/education, and needs dealt with.

I was thinking of ringing them and seeing if they'll reasses him now he's not snotty. I guess then they might be a little more will do help if it still shows a loss (which I suspect it will).

We do babble a lot, and I'll make an effort to make sure he's can see me when I'm talking to him, too. Animal noises I can definitely do!

They didn't mention nerve damage either way, so sounds like something I should chase up.

Thanks for your advice.