My 4yo had a hearing test at school.... but failed??

[Nikki2ol6]

My 4yo son has never had any problems. Passed his hearing test at birth and he’s an amazing talker and was also an early talker. Iv never had any concerns about his hearing. At school I got a letter saying they were doing hearing screening and I agreed to this. A few days later I found a letter in my sons book bag saying he had his hearing test but did not meet the criteria to pass. I asked my son what happened during the test and he told me about the headphones and the noises and told me he didn’t hear anything when someone was supposed to be whispering. It states on the letter he’s being referred for another test in a few weeks. I’m worried!!! Has anyone else’s 4yo failed the school hearing test?

Yes, loads of them do - it usually doesn't mean anything except they misunderstood the instructions or weren't concentrating. We did the referral test (as did quite a few of our friends!) and they were all fine. It's obviously a good idea to do it just in case.

Oh thank you that helps ease my mind

Could well be there was background noise. Schools aren't exactly quiet. That would affect the outcome.

I wouldn't worry. He'll have another test soon and either he'll pass it (because he didn't understand the instructions on the last test etc) or they'll be able to identify and treat any difficulties.
Worth remembering that we're in the middle of flu season - has he had a cold or anything recently that might mean his ears were a bit bunged up?
If he's only four I guess he's young in his academic year as well, which might explain not understanding what he was meant to do.

My ds failed it first time but passed the second one, no probs.

I can remember when I had a hearing test in school and also failed. Another girl failed too. Yet I've never had any problems with my hearing. I don't think that the tests that are used are very accurate- not concentrating and not following the instructions will most probably result in a fail. Don't worry OP.

He could have had a bit of a cold or an ear infection. It might also be a build up of wax. He might not have been concentrating etc. I would not worry.

Drat, my detailed message just got lost as I was almost finished.

But basically... don’t worry! Even if it does turn out to be actually his hearing, there are lots of very simple reasons it could be, that aren’t difficult to sort out.

I remember having a hearing test. I failed it because I am deaf in one ear. (Which I and my DM & DF knew about already)

They told my mum they were worried about me they thaught I had s hearing problem. Mum said she was aware and that was the end of it.

The thing is that parents often don't notice because children manage to adjust very well. I'd never have known that ds' hearing was down lower than 30% if he hadn't had a test due to multiple ear infections.

However the most likely explanation is if he does have difficulty hearing is that it's glue ear which usually resolves itself.
If he does have any hearing issue better finding out sooner rather than later.

Head phones with whispering noises? Doesn't sound very reliable. Just get him checked properly.

I failed my first school hearing test, I thought I had to press the button when I heard the exact sound I was first given and that sound only. Parents were very surprised to be told I might have significant hearing loss ! Second test went better.

I failed and ended up having to have five operations and my ears regularly cleaned for six weeks for about ten years... Best to get him checked out And Ttbb, it’s a pretty standard hearing test actually, were you never tested as a child?

My DD was an early and fluent talker. I joked to the lady testing baby DD2 that DD1(6) should be tested because she never took a blind bit of notice of any thing I said to her. Lady took me seriously, tested her and found her hearing was 75% down!

Pretty shocking neglect from us really. DD1 had glue ear but was fine after grommets when she was 7 or so (still never took a blind bit of notice of anything said to her though).

And joking aside, she seems to be noticeably poor at learning by listening, has to see stuff written down to absorb it. So I think it's wise to try and check there are no problems or to get them sorted quickly.