Hearing test and ear wax questions

[CantStopEatingCheese]

DD 4.5 partially lost her hearing a few weeks ago. At first we just thought she was being a bit naughty and ignoring us when we asked her to do things, but eventually it dawned on me that she can't actually hear us. :( I did some amateur home testing and it's pretty bad, we need to talk to her quite loudly or to be very close to her in order for her to hear us. So we took her to the GP who checked her ears and said they are full of wax (even on the eardrum) which could be the reason. No idea why but anyway, he advised us to put drops of olive oil in for 2 weeks and go back. The idea is that the wax might be causing the hearing loss but also ears need to be clear of wax before any hearing test is attempted. We did this religiously (though I'm worried that I've put more olive oil in there than necessary) there was an improvement initially but then it got worse again. So we went back and he has now referred us for a hearing test. So I just want to know:

• what does the hearing test involve?
• are they likely to tell us what the cause of the problem is? (GP said that they can tell us whether it's an obstruction or a problem with the nerve - is that the only two things that could be wrong?)
• what the next steps are likely to be? (GP said to go back to him, would he then refer us to a specialist depending on what the cause is?)

Because he said that it would be best if the wax is removed before the hearing test so I'm now trying some different drops containing peroxide. I'm hoping they will clear out the wax and all the olive oil and her hearing will magically return to normal. Any other suggestions people might have?

the hearing test will involve a small probe being put in each ear to check for fluid behind the ear drum (glue ear)- it's a bit like the newborn hearing test thingy

then they will probably do some tests to see what frequencies she can hear (or not)
DS2 has to do a variety of things including:
lots of objects on the table. a recorded voice is played at varying pitches and loudness asking him to find a specific object

listening for a noise and ech time he hears a noise he has to put a brick in a bucket, or a little person in a boat... this may or may not be done using headphones.

having him sitting at a table, with a picture box to one side of him (which he can't see unless he turns his head) he is shown that when a noise happens a picture comes up on the box. then they play sounds (varying frequencies etc) and see if he looks at the box

Given the fluid in the ear check (which i have completely forgotten the name of) they'll be able to tell you if the problem is an "obstruction", but I don't know if the only other option is a nerve issue tbh.
Here the audiology dept refers on to anyone else you may need to see, so it might be worth checking with htem how it works in your area and whether you actually do need to go back to the GP or not.

oh and we've never been told to clear wax before a test! they're used to seeing ds2's waxy ears

whenever I took ds for a hearing test they often spotted a lump of wax in one ear and the consultant would fish it out with a probe type thing (yuk); I asked if we should put oil or anything in to help soften it so it came out by itself and he said not to bother.

Hello, this link will give you some idea about what the hearing test will involve
NHS Hearing test

In my experience, its most likely to be an audiology clinic, they presumably will be able to see if its due to obstruction, but I would have thought GP could have done this/has already done so hence trying to clear ear wax - when GP saw loads of ear wax with ds1 we used Otrex to clear it incially and once it has cleared we've used olive oil as a preventative measure to keep wax soft and stop it getting blocked up again. I would doubt that you've used too much, we use it even with grommets (perforated eardrum), GP said it wouldn't cause an issue. Hopefully the stuff you have now will clear the wax - the hearing test involves Tympanometry which is not a hearing test but a test that the parts of the middle ear are moving, it puts a puff of air over the ear drum, I would guess if wax was in the way if affects the result or makes it invalid.

NDCS Hearing test information has more info - don't be concerned I've linked to something with deaf in title! There is a wealth of information on this site including glue ear which is conductive hearing loss.
It also has some information on how to understand an audiogram so you can see what the hearing loss may mean in terms of sounds that your dd may not hear.

If they see that there is an issue I would expect them to either do (a) watchful waiting to see if it gets better or (b) refer you to ENT consultant

I hope that helps - is your dd in nursery? its worth letting them know if dd is having any difficultly and its great you are doing this before she starts school (speaking from bitter experience)

When my DD went for a hearing test,the nurse picked out the wax with a tweezery type thing. I was both shocked and impressed at what came out.

I now do the olive oil thing,on advice. I got a little dropper bottle from the chemist to make it easier, and do it as soon as the kids complain of a blocked feeling.

Wow! I wasn't expecting such quick responses! Thanks everyone for all the information!

incy thanks for the links, very interesting. DD is currently at playgroup, I have informed them (and told them not to get annoyed with her if she doesn't listen) and they said that children often don't hear them as it's so loud in there!!! They have also since said that they noticed that she couldn't hear the sounds from a book, she had to hold close to her ear. So it's not just us imagining things. And don't even mention schools, DD is one of the few who wasn't offered any place at all out of all the schools we put down. So another source of stress at the moment. I am hoping the hearing is sorted out before September and also that we manage to get a school place!