Audiology appointment - what should I be asking?

[dinny]

Beyond the obvious, I suppose. A bit of history - DD (5 and a half) had glue ear as and 18 month old, which then, when re-assessed by audiologist six mnths later, had seemingly resolved itself.

Since then she has a fair few instances of what she calls "bundled up ear" and have been to GP, who has said she has lots of wax in one ear and given either drops or advised olive oil.

Anyway, have moved area since she was a pre-schooler and this last year I have taken her 3 times to GP as she keeps saying she can't hear teacher/she only wants to sit by one person at lunch etc else she can't hear and she says "pardon" a lot. So have got her an audiology assessment at the local hosp in our new area via a school nurse referral.

I am especially concerned as 1. dh's brother is severely death (from birth) and 2. dd was pre-term (but not very - 35+5)

Anyway, just wondered if anyone could help, as I am a bit worried about coming away with the ear-wax answer again (though would be pleased if it was just that!) but am wondering how they objectively test a 5yo's hearing (esp one who is a bit of an actress at the best of times...)

Thanks, if you read all that! Dinny

sorry, BUMP!

My DD also was sent away from GP's with drops/olive oil to break down the wax in her ears, but it made no difference and so GP referred us to Audiology (this is 1yr ago now). They did very child friendly tests where my DD (3.5 at the time) had to wear headphones and listen out for noises/beeps of differing tones and loudness. When she heard the tone she had to put little men in a boat. Since then she's done similar tests in ENT department where she has to put wooden blocks in a basket I'm holding, always wearing headphones.

The hearing test did show that her hearing was as bad as I thought and they took her adenoids out and put grommets in which made a fantastic difference. Sadly both her grommets have fallen out now so we are back to bad hearing every time she has a cold - volume up on the TV and mishearing are the clues for me!

I was told last time that if it was just ear wax they can kind of syringe it out, although it's not called that nowadays.

HTH

too slow tying, AM has said it all xx

wow, what a knight in shining armour you are, AM!! thank you so much for posting and basically answering everything I was wondering!

if it is glue ear again, are they likely to do grommits at 5 and a half (I read it usualy dissipates by about 7 years), But, I di feel it, whatever it is caused by, is affecting her schoolwork, not majorly but it is having an effect (and socially too, I THINK)

and one more question - the "ear wax" answer I have received, is that glue ear? or is GE hidden from view?

thanks again, Dinny

thanks, Forkhandles, yes, dd's is definitely related to whether or not she has a cold. also, she swims twice a week and am sure that doens't help. but she LOVES it! gosh, feel I maybe have to brace myself for having grommits perhaps....

though she isn't a particularly COLDY person, if you know what I mean - doesn't sound as though adenoids are blocked etc...

from the apts we've been too - both my children at 6 and 12mths and myself right through from 3 til teens - the audiologists are pros at getting the c's attention, so don't worry - they'll get what they need.

think you've got the history. maybe list the recent scenarios where she has a problem - just incase. I always get put on the spot and walk out thinking "I could have put that better"

only other thing is prepare your dd, not too long before the apt but long enough so that they don't panic. dd1 has just had an mri under ga - we started talking about it about two days before.

Same as AM.

My DS1 suffered glue ear and we had several tests/check ups done. Our consultant said he would probably grow out of it and put off going down the grommet road.

DS1 did grow out of it he is now 10.5yrs.

TT - am wary of talking to dd about it as worried she will say what she thinks the audiologist wants to hear her say! they send you a form to write down histiry/concerns etc, which obv have done.

Scrummymummy - am interested to know about whether your ds's hearing affected school? ie. if it's best to have GA/grommits if it offsets probs at school?

Dinny - ask about ear moulds for swimming as well, these are fitted plugs (that you pay for!) and have made a difference for our dd (nearly 5)

thanks for posting, AM, so helpful

remember a couple of times the GP saying he couldn't see ear drum because of wax, actually....

well, appointment is on Thursday, so really interested to speak to the audiologist and find out what's going on.

what is the kind of position on when to recommend grommits and when not to, as opposed to hearing aids?

thanks so much, Dinny

Kath, ask the audiologist?

It did not affect school as teachers were aware of situation - that he could not always hear and sat him at the front of the class so they could keep an eye on him.

We were always happy with our GP and the Consultant who saw him and the advice/recommendations that they gave.

By the way - we did not put off having grommets, it was the consultant we saw and we took his word that most children grow out of it which is what DS has done.

Scrummy, did you find it affected him socially as well a bit?

again, many thanks! (and to your dh!) God, MN is soooo fab!

she never snores/has ear infections etc so from what you say it prob won't be grommits.

the wax thing - what could cause sucha big build-up and wouldn't I be able to see it seeping from ears? her ears are always totally gunk-free and pristine...

Just to reinforce everything AM has said. DS1 was diagnosed with glue ear and a progressive hearing loss at 3 (he is now 6.5). he has had 2 lots of grommits and wears hearing aids. I would ensure that they do typonometry as that will tell for certain if glue is present. The hearing tests are pretty straight forward and nothing to worry about. If you are given the wax answer (my extensive experience ) would suggest that the best remedy is suction (like a hoover in the ear), DS strongly prefers this method and it is pretty instantaneous, we have to go to ENT for this. If you go to the NDCS website there is a chat section which has a board about glue ear where you can read about various experiences of grommits v's hearing aids as a solution.

dinny - it has never affected him socially, not that I am aware of.

When we have had parent/teacher meetings and in his reports they have always said that he is a very sociable boy with lots of friends.

Always has lots of school friends calling for him to go out.

thanks, Geogteach, am sure we have chatted in the past about this....

is your DS1's hearing loss solely because of glue ear?

interested you had the ear wax explanation! so, if that is the conclusion again, I take it I must ask for a referral? sure am worrying unnecessarily, but you know how you never ask the right things when you are there with the professionals!

I always feel dd holds herself apart a little - not sure whether that is personality or hearing or neither.

GT - thanks for the NDSC tip

DS has sensural neural loss as well as glue ear, to be honest the glue doesn't really cause problems at the moment (even though one of his grommits is missing).