Toddler hearing difficulties & sleep apnea

[Fran091]

Just looking for any experience or advice here as I'm worried about my 2 year old who has been struggling to hear for about two weeks.

Background - diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and on a waiting list for tonsil removal. Night time breathing has improved significantly so very few pauses but lots of noisy laboured breathing and snoring.

Over Christmas he appeared to struggle with hearing for around a week and it got better on its own. This time it has been going on for longer. GP said there is wax across one ear but otherwise appear normal. We are using olive oil spray to break the wax but so far no improvement. He has been generally coldy off and on (and did have croup last week).

We're wondering if this could be related to his apnea/snoring

Has anyone experienced anything similar?

When I tried olive oil in my ears it increased my deafness as it blocked any holes in the wax. Does he need grommets?

I don't think so as I think the GP would have picked up glue ear when she examined his ears?

Glue ear was diagnosed by audiology, not GP in my daughter's case. She had grommets in and adenoids out just after her 3rd birthday and the apnea and hearing problems were cured overnight.

Thr liquid in the ear with glue ear can move around, so the hearing loss comes and goes.

That's really helpful, thanks. Did you see the same ENT consultant for both? We are under one for apnea but they haven't checked his ears (wasn't an issue at the time)

The ENT consultant did a thorough examination of ears, nose, and throat, as well as a general check up, listening to chest etc. Then referred her for hearing check and xray. After these appointments we were seen again by the consultant, and booked in for the surgery.

Edited to add- yes it was the same doctor for both issues.