Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

DS2 is being referred to a hearing specialist.

12 replies

Ormirian · 27/10/2011 18:08

GP didn't think it was a serious problem but he seems to have slightly reduced hearing in one ear. What, if anything, will they do for him if it is confirmed there is a deficiency?

Anyone got experience of this?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

notcitrus · 27/10/2011 18:19

It'll depend what's causing it - glue ear (fluid going sticky so drainage gets blocked) is common in young children, and may be treated with grommets (tiny cotton-reels inserted into the eardrum to allow draining) especially if he's getting ear infections.
They may suggest a hearing aid as it's so much easier to make and program them now - they come in funky colours and patterns on the NHS now too.
Or they may just keep an eye on it and suggest ways to ensure he's picking up info he needs, like getting people to get his attention before speaking to him.

Those are probably the most likely outcomes.

Original poster

Ormirian · 27/10/2011 18:21

Thankyou.

GP couldn't see anything inside the ear - would that not be the case if it was glue ear or anything like that?

It is causing a minor problem in school - in fact the teacher pointed out to us - we thought he was simply not listening (I still think that is the case as well!).

Strategies for him, us and the teacher would be good.

OP posts:

Tonksforthememories · 27/10/2011 18:27

Glue ear is behind the eardrum so GP wouldn't necessarily see anything. Many children cope well with hearing aids in mainstream school if it comes down to that.

Teacher needs to have your DS's 'good' ear towards the front of the class, as it means your ds is more likely to pick up and focus on the lesson. If it turns out to be a hearing loss, NDCS are fantastic.

hatchypom · 27/10/2011 19:22

Also if there's a history of glue ear children need to re- learn to listen so it could a question of just 'switching back on' . If there is any kind of hearing issue you'll get a teacher of the deaf who can advise on where to sit, acoustics and all things educational.

hatchypom · 27/10/2011 19:24

Also have a look at the ndcs's parent place it's fairly active and has a section on glue ear and of course hearing loss however mild in general. Best wishes

Original poster

Ormirian · 27/10/2011 19:34

Thankyou.

He had a few ear infections when he was very little but nothing since - hardly even a cold for years. He's 8 now.

OP posts:

MissBetsyTrotwood · 27/10/2011 22:20

If there is hearing loss in one ear, the 'good' ear is hearing well and overall hearing is generally good, they often don't give hearing aids. The sound you hear via a hearing aid is different to the sound you hear without intervention; if one ear is OK it means that he'd be hearing two different sounds from the same source iykwim.

They test for glue ear by puffing air against the eardrum and reading the pressure they get back I think. I think that's how the test works. It's quick and doesn't hurt at all.

DS2 has severe hearing loss in one ear, along with a couple of other rather rare and fascinating special needs . Here's what they recommend for him:

He sits with his 'good ear' facing the teacher.
He sits at the front.
The light is on the teacher, not behind them (wherever possible) so he can lip read more easily and see gestures more clearly.
His eyes are tested regularly.
He takes extra care crossing the road. Hearing is like sight - if you close one eye, you can't tell how far away things are. With one functioning ear, it's hard to tell how far away/exactly where/how fast an object is travelling towards you.
Care is taken to get his attention in busy, hubbuby situations. DS2 can't hear me when there is a lot of background noise.
If you have more concerns a teacher for hearing impaired children who works for the LEA should be able to visit him in class and provide information for him, you and the teacher about how to make things better.

I'm sure there's more but I'm not long for bed after a long day. I second the NDCS site. There are a lot of good factsheets on there. Good luck.

MissBetsyTrotwood · 27/10/2011 22:24

And just out of interest, how did the GP test his hearing? Ours just speaks really loudly 'clearly' to DS2. (!)

Original poster

Ormirian · 28/10/2011 14:41

Hi betsy

He used some sort of tuning fork thing against the skull at the back of his ear.

OP posts:

HerdOfTinyElephants · 28/10/2011 15:10

NDCS (already linked to and recommended) have a lot of really helpful publications including one on unilateral deafness.

DD has severe-profound hearing loss in one ear with a tendency to glue ear in the other and there's no suggestion of ever aiding/implanting her bad ear, although they do aid her good ear when it's being gluey.

HerdOfTinyElephants · 28/10/2011 15:12

(Interestingly, since she was diagnosed it's remarkable the number of adults I've known for years who turn out to be deaf in one ear, and I'd never have guessed)

MissBetsyTrotwood · 28/10/2011 19:33

Hello there!

Oh, interesting. And refreshingly 'old school' sounding! And I agree with Herd, it turns out so many people I know are deaf in one ear.

DH has worked with a well known musician who was deaf in one ear. He had an op age 19 to right it and for a few weeks was a 'super' hearer - the 'good' ear had worked so hard for so long that when the all round hearing returned he could hear conversations from half way down the street. He'd also been writing and recording as a musician for several years prior to the op and his hearing loss had not affected his musicality at all.

Sorry, I digress. All the best, again.

Flip