Just got a letter through the post, saying DS1 has 'failed' a hearing test at school.... help please!!

[NatalieJane]

The letter is just a bog standard letter saying they will send an appointment for a more detailed test in 6-8 weeks. No clue as to what he had problems with, no 'ring this number for more info' - nothing.

Aside from obviously worrying what could be wrong I am pissed off with the style of the letter, but question is, if I ring his GP or HV or somewhere (anywhere!!) will someone be able to give me some more information about this?

We had no idea that anything was wrong with his hearing, is it likely that there is something wrong, or could it be a faulty test? Could having a cold or something effect it?? Can you see why I'd like to speak to someone about it?!

The style of the letter is probably because the nurse who does the test checks every Reception child in the school, so may not have time to send out a detailed response to every parent. They tend to be forms where the nurse just ticks a box - partly because of the time constraint, and partly because the nurse isn't able to make a diagnosis. All she can do is perform the test and record the result.

The standard letter that we had from dd's school said that a "fail" result is often because the child wasn't concentrating, there was background noise (difficult to avoid in a school) or some other distraction.

The second test will be more detailed, and is a more reliable one - the inial test is very basic.

Try not to worry. The chances are that there isn't a problem, but if there is then at least it will have been spotted and something can be done about it.

Thanks so much for that. Put my mind at ease a bit.

Just can't believe that they flag up a problem with your childs hearing in such a way. As if I am just supposed to sit back and wait for 6-8 weeks for an appointment...!

Would I be wasting everyones time taking DS1 to the GP's, for another test just so I can see what the problem is (if indeed there is a problem?)?

my son got referred, he passed the more detailed test. think he was just day dreaming at the time of the original one.

Thanks for that, very reassuring

Is the second one being done at the hospital? There are lots of reasons why your son may have failed, colds, ear wax, distraction, it may not be an actual hearing impairment. My daughter had a second one at the hospital and it was a lot more in depth than the one at the G.P surgery.

call the school nursing team if you are really worried, but I agree with longmeg. dd was flagged up for vision and hearing and there was nothing wrong with her.

We had the same with dd. The letter explained that the most common cause is a cold, and dd did have a cold on the day of hte hearing test. They are retesting her at the start of December.

With ds we had the same regarding a vision test. Again, at the retest it was fine!

So more than likely absolutely nothing to worry about.

Thanks everyone, I rang the hospital, he failed two of the noises in his left ear, she said the same as has been said, cold, wax or distraction can have an effect on the outcome.

Just have to wait and see I suppose, thanks again though x

Do YOU think he has trouble hearing ?

My ds had same, failed 3 further tests (I shudder at the stress of it now) with gp/school nurse, luckily we had bupa cover and saw a consultant who did a raft of different tests and said his hearing was within normal limits (ie fine)

The school nurse test is very vague so although might give an indication of a problem isn't a result in itself (thats a direct quote from Consultant btw)

Doesn't stop you worrying, but get him retested and ask for a referral if nessesary