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Children's health

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Original poster

Babys hearing

23 replies

Daisya96 · 01/10/2019 13:34

Hi I'm after some help/advice. We have just been for a hearing test for out 12 day old boy and both tests have come back negative. They did another test which was a abr and that failed too. We are going out of our mind with worry. We don't want our boy different to other children. I was wondering if other people have had the same happen to them but there babys hearing was fine. I've read that the first test isn't always accurate because of ear wax but then I've read the next test is very accurate. We have another test in a few weeks but that's a few weeks away. Has anyone been through the same

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Suzie81 · 01/10/2019 22:59

I know it must be scary, but if he does have hearing problems finding out early will mean that you can better support him.

As I understand it, ABR is usually quite accurate BUT it can produce false results if there is residual material from the womb in the inner ear, which is why they'll be looking to repeat the test. This is usually gone by now, but some kids can have more or it gets compacted.

Both my kids failed their initial post birth hearing test, and then we had the ABR which they passed - but I can't remember exactly how long after the birth it was.

Does he startle at all at loud noises?

I know it's hard, but I think it's best to just try and go with the flow and see what happens at repeat test. IF there are issues, they may be easily solved, and even if it's more complex there will be a solution for him.

ToDuk · 01/10/2019 23:05

I'm a teacher of the deaf and have worked with lots of families who have been in the same position as you. Please don't panic. The results so far could mean anything - as Suzie said it could be due to gunk in the ears from birth, for example. Or it could be a mild to moderate hearing loss which can be helped significantly with hearing aids. I have worked with loads of children with a hearing loss who have done very well. I know it's a shock but if there is a long term hearing loss it really isn't as bad as the initial shock. Happy to try and answer any questions you may have, or to chat more as you find out more.

While you are waiting for the follow up test do make sure you keep speaking to baby and interacting like you would anyway. I've met parents who have stopped speaking directly to baby once they realise they can't hear. But baby needs all that face to face communication and may be hearing what you are saying.

Original poster

Daisya96 · 02/10/2019 12:59

Thank you for your replies. Were just really worried that he will feel and look different to other children if he has hearing aids on. Also were wondering how his development will be. We have our appointment tomorrow which will give us a diagnosis. We have been trying all night with loud sounds but he doesn't even flinch at the loudest of sounds so were expecting the worst. Our whole worlds have been turned upside down by this.

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ToDuk · 02/10/2019 16:57

It's a big shock and a huge unknown. But you and he will be ok. With the right support at-home and in nursery / school deaf children can really do well. Please keep us posted and feel free to ask any questions that you might think of once you're home from your appointment.

Original poster

Daisya96 · 02/10/2019 20:22

Is it possible for an aabr test to be wrong because of fluid in his inner ear or does this test eliminate that? I know the oae test can be inaccurate because of this? I'm hoping this could be the case as he was delivered really fast and is a very small baby. His abr test is tomorrow. Really nervous

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geogteach · 02/10/2019 20:43

You need to speak to other people with deaf children for reassurance. The NDCS are a great source of information.
It is scary, my Son was older than yours when we realised he was deaf, he 18 now has always been to mainstream school, speaks 3 languages and has 3 top A level grades and is hoping to go to Oxford. Everyone's experience is different but it definitely doesn't have to be negative, although it is hard at times.

Smurf123 · 02/10/2019 20:53

I don't know the name of the tests but my son failed the first one and then the second one with all the wires that get stuck on he failed in one ear but they told he me not to worry too much as it was probably down to top much background noise... (Or something along those lines.. He had just been moved from nicu to scbu so it's all a bit of a blur) but at 18 months now there certainly doesn't appear to be any issues with his hearing touch wood.. He is saying words in 2 languages and knows most animal noises etc..
Hope it goes ok for you tomorrow

VelvetB · 02/10/2019 21:22

We had exactly this scenario with our daughter, who failed her hearing tests at 3 days old - including the abr. We had to wait 2 weeks for an appointment for further tests, and we had prepared ourselves to be told she had at least some permanent hearing loss as she didn't seem to startle. However she passed the tests with flying colours and now at a year old we've no concerns with her hearing.

I was very concerned during the wait as I thought that by having the first tests done at 3 days it was less likely to be due to a blockage from birth. She is also my third baby and both my boys had passed the hearing test within hours of their birth.

I know it's easier said then done, but please try not to worry. I remember my midwife coming out to see and being very reassuring that it's very common for babies to fail hearing tests in the weeks after birth.

VelvetB · 02/10/2019 21:23

Sorry that should have said 13 days old

Original poster

Daisya96 · 02/10/2019 21:31

Thank you for all your replies. I feel a little relieved after reading them. Today has probably been the worst day of my life. I cant stop crying. Were booked I for his test tomorrow at 3. I'm praying its positive. I will let you know how it goes. Thanks again

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ToDuk · 03/10/2019 07:51

All the best for today. It's easy to say but please try not to worry. I've got some amazing kids on my caseload who don't let anything stop them. And it is always possible it will just be something that clears up.

nowtygaffer · 03/10/2019 08:04

Hope it goes well for you today. My DD is deaf, she is amazing! Has never had any bullying and has a wide circle of friends. She is at University now and we are so proud of her. Being the parent of a deaf child has it's challenges. Get in touch with NDCS , meet other parents. You will need their support. All the best for today.

Robs20 · 03/10/2019 08:18

My dd failed her hearing tests. She was given hearing aids and it all seemed such a faff. She had multiple other health issues and this seemed to be the thing that almost made it too much.
BUT we embraced it. Whilst we waited for her pink hearing aids, I stuck little white flowers on the beige ones. We went to sing and sign with our nct group. At 11 months she had grommets put in and the difference was huge. Prior to that, we could literally hoover in her room when she was sleeping. Afterwards, we couldn’t even whisper!
Please don’t stress too much. There are so many things that are much worse than this and your boy will lead a normal life with the right support.

Original poster

Daisya96 · 03/10/2019 18:00

He passed 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

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ToDuk · 03/10/2019 22:05

Oh lovely! What did they say?

Suzie81 · 04/10/2019 06:52

That's lovely news.

A shame it caused so much worry, but at least you can now put it behind you.

VelvetB · 04/10/2019 07:31

Brilliant news, so pleased for you xx

Original poster

Daisya96 · 04/10/2019 08:18

He passed the test with flying colours. They said they were getting a response even on the quietest sound. They said when he had the screening he must of had congestion. He did have a cold and is a tiny baby. He does still have some congestion but that will go. It just goes to show that the aabr test isn't as accurate as I thought. Thanks everyone for your replys

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ToDuk · 04/10/2019 15:07

That's good news.

The ABR is reliable but it seems that because of being congested the sound wasn't getting through so there wasn't the expected response. So the issue was the congestion I would think rather than the reliability of the test.

Original poster

Daisya96 · 04/10/2019 21:37

I get what your saying but shouldn't these tests be made to find that someone has congestion or fluid. We were told that 1 in 100 babies fail the aabr test so that made us really worry and we were told fluid or congestion wouldn't really be a problem with this test its only normally a problem with the oae test. That's what made us extremely worried for days. I'm just so happy that we had the outcome we got. Onwards and upwards 😊

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ToDuk · 05/10/2019 09:05

The follow up tests can do that but I don't think the ABR could as congestion can't be seen in brain response. At least you got retested quickly and it was all sorted.

sashh · 05/10/2019 09:38

We have been trying all night with loud sounds but he doesn't even flinch at the loudest of sounds so were expecting the worst. Our whole worlds have been turned upside down by this.

I know you have comeback with an update, but for anyone searching this.

Very young babies don't react to loud noises like we do, I've seen one sleep through a noisy party in front of the speakers

Original poster

Daisya96 · 05/10/2019 11:13

That's the thing though at the screening we did an oae test and a aabr test which he failed the aabr test so if congestion doesn't effect an aabr test then how did he fail? I know an abr test is slightly different to an aabr test but there pretty much the same.

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