Failed newborn screening x 2 - experiences?

[Hanbanan44]

Hello,

My wee boy was born by emergency c section 2 weeks ago. He passed the newborn screen in his right ear on the ward, but failed in the left ear. We were sent to audiology for a re-test of his left ear (they put little stickys on his neck, back of head etc) and he failed again today.

The test was done by an audiology support worker and she's referred for a full assessment now. She said it could be anything from fluid build up (which his dad also has problems with AND he's a c section baby) to hearing loss of some description.

He has another mild issue (?hypospadisis) and has an appointment for follow up for that in a few weeks too.
I'm having irrational "what did I do to hurt my baby while he was in my womb" thoughts, and worrying about his future. I think my hormones are making how I am seeing this all the worse.

He is the light of my life and such a content baby, I think it just breaks my heart that there is potential he has any issues at such a young age and that they occured while he was growing inside me (no drinking, smoking and other than overdoing it on the haribo in 3rd trimester, a healthy diet and regular exercise).

I guess any insights, experiences or words of wisdom would be welcome before my catastrophic thinking runs away with me.

Congratulations on your new baby.
lots of babies and small children will have health issues but most wont come to light until they are much older. I understand you’re upset, it’s nothing you did but it is better that he has help sooner than later.

My son failed twice on the ward as a newborn, he was far too interested in looking around and being nosy. But he did pass the third test and she did them all across two hours on the ward, we weren't referred.

Please don't panic, though. There's no real indication that anything is wrong yet, it could easily be solvable if there is, and it won't be anything you did during pregnancy - you've said yourself that the baby's Dad has a similar issue.

There's a lot of help for hearing issues now, and this seems to only be affecting one ear, but you've got plenty of time to investigate that if he's diagnosed with something. Please try not to worry yet x

My son failed and then after a few weeks passed, also an emergency CS baby. He had a super gunky ear. Try not to worry until you know more, he’s been referred which is great as you can get answers. Hopefully it’s nothing though!

Try not to worry. You’ve done absolutely nothing wrong. If there are any issues with his ear, they will be dealt with.

My son failed twice as a newborn baby… then we went back to clinic when he was 5 days old and he failed again. I was so upset thinking he was deaf.
we went to a hospital audiology appt when he was a month old and he did better but they reviewed again when he was 8 months and he was discharged x