Glue ear and speech development

[Aries456]

Hi all, my nearly 4 year old has just had a hearing test and we have been told there is some hearing loss in his right ear they think is attributed to glue ear. They can be sure as there is also a build up of wax obscuring view. They said there were signs of previous glue ear in his left ear but that is now clear.
He had his tonsils and adenoids out last year (privately) and the surgeon said he had a look at his ears at the same time in case he needed grommets but that they were fine.
My son had very poor speech before the tonsils came out - others heard it as babble but I could understand most of it. It is much better now he still struggles with f,v, z sounds.
I guess my question is this: how long has he had glue ear? Has that affected his speech or is it still from his tonsils issue? Is there a link with dyslexia?
I feel guilty as we could have had a proper hearing check a year ago but I didn't think there was anything wrong wit his hearing and I feel he has only been saying he can't hear for the past few months, but now I am doubting myself.

Glue ear can start really early, ds had it from before a year.
It did effect his speech-I remember him coming home from a phonics lesson and saying in great excitement "mummy, did you know ch and sh are pronounced differently".
He'd never heard the difference, so naturally didn't do it himself.
He did have SALT, but not a huge amount and they did comment that his speech was very good for a child with glue ear.
Because they always haven't been able to hear, they assume that's normal, and don't say they can't hear.

It's quite usual for family to be able to interpret poor speech-I remember my dbro was pretty much totally incomprehensible, but we could understand most. It's also quite usual for you not to realise how much they can't hear. They're very good at adapting. Ds even learnt to lip read and I didn't realise.

For reference of anyone reading this later: If you're offered a hearing test before SALT always take it. More parents say they didn't realise than do.

Thank you for your reply Witches.
He has only been saying he can't hear recently - and it has got progressively worse - this week I have had to get him to fave me and say things close to him. I am hoping that because it has become so notice recently and because the ENT surgeon said his ears looked good in theatre that this glue ear is a fairly recent development, or do you think I am kidding myself and he could have had it for ages?
Did you son's language improve a lot? Have you noticed any slowners with reading etc or is he too young for that yet? X

Glue ear comes and goes of it's own accord. What you need to realise is that hearing also involves the brain process side.

So one month of poor hearing due to glue ear, then a few weeks of the brain having to relearn to hear...

Ah ok, Random. I am worried I have caused / allowed permenant damage! Probably over reacting.

Nothing of the sort!!! The brain relearned, it's amazing

As an SLT I'd get your gp to refer/give you details of local advice line or drop in sessions with SLT. He's had glue ear, his speech is difficult to understand, go and get him checked out. Most services are impact-based now rather than just treating a diagnosis so think about how it's affecting him and daily life. Is he aware/frustrated? Is he opting out? Is he struggling with peers? Are nursery having difficulty understanding him? Good luck op

I think he does struggle with his peers. And yes, he used to be very frustrated before the tonsils came out. The SENCO at his nursery said it was affecting him socially and he would stop trying to communicate with staff out of frustration. He is much, much better now the tonsils are out but speech is still not 100%. We recently moved and he is in a new nursery...I worry he says he has no one to play with but I don't know if that is because he is new etc. Perhaps I should talk with his nursery leader about my concerns and see if she thinks a SLT route is needed. I can try through GP or health visitor?

And thanks Random, I swear 90% of parenting is worrying that you are messing up massively!

It depends how services work in your area op but most have some sort of advice service available without full referral. Yes all of the above - gp,health visitor or nursery should have access.