Hearing problem for my son

[user1468297055]

My son is 11 years old and we often noticed that he was asking to repeat the things we say him. I thought that he was being careless and that's why asking like this. Last month my uncle came home and he too noticed this and said us to consult an ENT doctor. Doctor said that he is having otitis media problem, that is a fluid problem in the middle ear and that causes hearing loss. We consulted Westside audiology Services ( www.westeastaudiology.com/ ) and got hearing aids which suit him. Actually, we do not have any hearing issues, but my father had. Is hearing loss hereditary? Can anyone explain me about maintaining the hearing aids?

Why did they give him the hearing aids? Just because of the otitis?

I didn't think you could get hearing aids just like that, wow we waited years on the nhs. Are they putting grommets in to solve the problem?

Sorry in answer to your question, yes I think glue ear is hereditary.

Did you buy the hearing aids or were they prescribed?

Because of his hearing problem

They prescribed due to his hearing problem.

I am assuming you are not in the UK? Usually grommets are offered for glue ear although hearing aids can also help. Glue ear can be hereditary however it isn't something which worsens over time. Often children grow out of the problem and as adults have normal hearing again.

If you have been given hearing aids the nhs offers a back up service - new batteries, tweaking for best fit etc and you can go back with any problems you have. If you have bought hearing aids from a private company then you would need to talk them directly.

I'd be dubious about that diagnosis if he has hearing loss. Either it isn't otitis media or he doesn't need the hearing aids. Did you have to pay for them by any chance?

Some ENTS give out hearing aids instead of grommets.

We asked last time but ds had other issues (bulging ear drum) that meant grommets were the best option. Otherwise we'd have tried aids.

My son who is nearly 8, now wears 1 hearing aid. He used to wear 2 and was given them at the age of 5. He had moderate hearing loss in both ears at the time. We were given the option of waiting 6-8 months for grommets or go with hearing aids which took 2 weeks from that appointment. AtSea1979 it took around 18 months to see a consultant who gave us the option. He was continuously having hearing tests before we went on a waiting list that took around 8 months to see the consultant.

I know of other children who have opted for grommets and adenoidectomy and been given hearing aids while they wait. I think it depends on location and consultant.

Sorry I forgot to put he has glue ear!

In the UK here and we were offered both hearing aids and grommets, we had to choose one or the other so we chose grommets. Maybe different trusts have different rules?

I think the OP is in the US, going by the audiologist she named.

OP hearing loss can be hereditary but it can also be caused by illness, like a virus. Did the audiologist say anything about the fluid?