Hearing probs in 5yo

[dinny]

Hi, dd (5 and a half) has intermittently complained her ear is blocked basically since she was about 3 ish. She had glue ear as a baby for about 6 months, then it cleared itself (according to ear doctor).

I have been to various GPs (one in old area, another 3 in practice since we have moved) when she has complained subsqequently that it's blocked and they have said it's got wax in it and have prescribed either olive oil drops or ear drops.

but, dd has said to me again that sher ear is always blocked and she can't hear the teacher properly.

any suggestions as to what GP should be doing now - referring or what? btw, dh's brother is severely deaf from birth, if that has any bearing in the GP response.....

thanks in advance,

ehy don't you speak to a health visitor???, they are more helpful when it comes to things like this.if you tell them your concerns they can just book a hearing assesment within a couple of weeks

think she is too old for health visitor at 5...?

think it is school nurse and have no clue who that is or how to contact them....

no she isnt, health visitors look after all ages of people from birth to elderly

hmmm, só best to prob book appointment with scary brusque dr who refers for nearly everything in that case....

thinking back, I feel awful, it has been a problem for ages but have been fobbed off with the 'it is wax' excuse...

suspect glue ear....maybe

how would you find a private audiologist?

do I go into GP surgery and say "please refer dd to audiologist"?

I used to work in an audiology department we had a school screening service. Depending on where you live you may have one. You could ask at the school. They can refer direct if so. Worth a try and may be quicker than a referral through the GP. HTH

thank you for that, all. Pinkteddy - ask the school? we are in surrey, btw

yes under 'health for all children', all school aged children I believe are supposed to be screened for hearing on school entry. However, in practice this doesn't happen in a lot of areas. However, most areas (I think) would have a screener available who could come out to the school to do a test on request. Its worth asking at the school anyway. At the very least you could ask the school nurse through the school. I don't know about Surrey specifically sorry!

thsnks for that. will ask tomorrow.

called the school nurse today and she is referring dd to audiologist.

spoke to teacher who said "that explains why she's been confused about what to do". says she was going to mention it at parents' evening next week.

innthe meantime she's sat dd right under her nose (according to dd!)

thanks for the advice - now the wait for an appointment....

That's good news. Hopefully you won't have to wait too long. Bring all information you have about your dd's health with you to the appointment eg: hv book with any details of health checks, immunisations etc. HTH

thanks Pinkteddy

thanks Pinkteddy

thanks Pinkteddy

let us know how you get on