I know it will have been asked before but please would someone come and talk to me about glue ear?

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My DD has a speech and language delay, she is 2.8 and has been lucky enough to have had speech therapy since she was 2. She had a hearing test a year ago which was fine then another today, I self referred as she has had another three ear infections in that time one of which didn't clear so we had to go to hospital for stronger ABs. The SALT also felt it a good idea. Anyway DD didn't do well with the toys test as she just wanted to play with the toy aeroplane. I know she knew each of the objects but it woud have been impossible to tell whether she couldn't hear or was just ignoring instructions. They then used to test they use for babies bu again DD didn't really comply they know she could hear 40 decibels but couldn't be sure of anything under. Then the glue ear test showed conjestion. I've got to go back in two months but the audiologist said she doubts that glue ear alone has caused the speech delay. DD has a genetic condition and has had a lot of hospital type stuff, she has had two general anaesthetics, countless hospital stays so I am willing to believe they have had effect but surely glue ear alone could also damage speech development?

Hi I don't know if my story is helpful but here goes.
DD1 has a severe speech delay, she is now 4.5. I diagnosed glue ear myself after the audiologist missed it. I went to another ENT consultant who put grommets in. There was a noticable increase in DD's communication. After 3 months we noticed a deterioration in her hearing so took her back to ENT. More grommets where booked. At the same time she has started having a course of cranial oestopathy. When they inserted the second set of grommets they found no glue ear. I'm convinced this is becuase of the cranial. Her speech is also much improved since the cranial sessions started and she is generally happier.
Now the glue ear is gone, our new audiologist has found an underlying deafness which has has no doubt contributed to her language delay.

Have a look at the National Deaf Childrens Society website. They have lots of useful info on glue ear. And follow your instincts. If you think there is something wrong, you are intitled to push the professionals.

Hi cktwo thank you for your story, I am definately going to try either cranial osteopathy or osteopathy for my DD as its worth a try. Funnily enough I have just been on the NDCS website making a complaint about the two young boys who were fundraising for them today (long story!) anyway while I was there I joined and posted about glue ear. I am a bit unsettled by the audiologist saying that there will be more to this, I actually may ring back next week and ask what she meant although I bet she won't comment and will want to wait for the paed to meet DD. Two months seems a long time to wait atm!

Meant to ask cktwo if you don't mind, is your DDs severe speech delay due to her hearing alone? I can't see how it could not affect them if they can't hear well. Still annoyed with the audiologist tbh can you tell?!

I'm not sure. The hearing loss certainly hasn't helped. We will find out for sure in three weeks when she gets her hearing aids!

Thanks cktwo, good luck with the hearing aids. There is a thread on SN about children with speech and language delays if youare interested. Think I will ring NDCS tomorrow in case thye have any suggestions for things locally.

There should be a local support group. I keep meaning to get in touch with mine. I went on one of their residential weekends recent too. Very good, learned a few things too.