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Original poster

Failed hearing test twice at school

13 replies

MybabyH · 12/01/2023 19:00

Hello I'm just looking for advice / reassurance. Sorry this is quite long - but has a bit of backstory!

My son, 4, soon to be 5 in a few months time has had speech delay/ trouble being understood for some time. We were referred for SALT from nursery when he was 2 but covid happened and it was delayed.

We had SALT therapist visit him when he was 3 but we were told they couldn't offer him anything until he turned 5 (he couldn't do the tests ie place the mouse on the table - he still struggles understanding instructions but did note his speech was behind & sent us some leaflets) so we waited and tried our best.

Since starting school the teacher pointed out noone can understand what he says and they referred him to their once a week in house speech therapist but told us to keep pushing the gp/hv for a referral. Anyways he's had two hearing tests at school (one in October & one in January this year) and he's failed both, now been referred to audiology. Would this explain his speech - he's quite nasaly when he talks? How long does it take for a referral? Is there any private tests we could pay for to speed up the process?

He's finally in glasses too as he has poor sight.

He's also failed his phonics screening and struggling with getting to grips with reception I'm feeling really heart broken for him as he's getting upset with not being understood by the kids at.school / struggling to make friends and cries every day at going in - he's still quite young compared to some of the kids in his class. We had problems at the start of the year with a few boys in the class making fun of the way he talks (this has been sorted now) but it's knocked his confidence. I just want to get him the help he needs. Any advice?

Thank you xxxx

OP posts:

jevoudrais · 12/01/2023 19:02

Hearing could absolutely explain his speech. That's appalling if no one has sent him for hearing tests before now!

davegrohll · 12/01/2023 19:04

My ds was sent to ent for hearing tests by salt as part of an autism diagnosis, I agree with a pp he should've been referred hearing tests already ??

Spendonsend · 12/01/2023 19:06

Oh goodness, yes it could. Is this a covid knock on that its taken an age. My sons hearing test with the audiologist came through really quickly.

LucyWhipple · 12/01/2023 19:08

Hearing absolutely can affect speech. I’m so sorry no one referred you sooner, this should have been done ages ago.

Re the phonics screening, that’s a y1 test not reception so please don’t panic about that yet.

However, hopefully you will find with the glasses and once he’s got support with his hearing & speech you will see a big difference.

Do you have the funds to pay for private s&l support? Everything is so stretched it can take ages to get support through the nhs.

Lilbunnyfufu · 12/01/2023 19:10

When we was referred to speech therapy the first thing she did was refer Ds to audiology to get his ears tested. Once she knew it wasn't his hearing affecting his speech she started our sessions with her.

piedbeauty · 12/01/2023 19:10

It's shocking that he hasn't already been referred for a hearing test. That's the first thing that happened with my ds when he needed SALT.

Request a hearing test ASAP. He may need grommets. They will make a massive difference to his hearing - and then speech.

Bless him.

Original poster

MybabyH · 12/01/2023 19:12

Thank you everyone- I feel like we've been passed from pillar to post for years. I'm really pleased the referral will be quick I was worried incase it was another two years or so to see anyone - I'm hoping we can have answers before he starts year 1 or at least a plan in place.

I didn't panic too much prior to him starting school - I just thought he'd catch up eventually & was just a little behind but all of the children in his class seem so fluent & grown up in comparison to him it doesn't help that he's tiny too. Did audiology refer for salt if they feel it's needed? Or should I just go private(is that possible??)

OP posts:

Pinkflipflop85 · 12/01/2023 19:24

He hasn't failed the phonics screening. That isn't possible as it's a year 1 rest in June.

Hopefully you won't wait too long but it may be area dependant. Paediatric ENT waiting lists in our area are around 53 weeks. Our son is due his 3rd set of grommets, his consultant filled out the paperwork, he had a pre-op but 7 months on and he still has no surgery date!

Smurf123 · 12/01/2023 19:27

Honestly if you can go private id probably say do it. My 4 (will be 5 in March) ds was referred to audiology 18 months ago... We are still waiting 😫 I can't afford to go private

Original poster

MybabyH · 12/01/2023 19:28

Pinkflipflop85 · 12/01/2023 19:24

He hasn't failed the phonics screening. That isn't possible as it's a year 1 rest in June.

I had wondered what the phonics was about - as my eldest is in year 3 and I was sure he hasn't done his so early. I might have to ask the school for more information.

And thank you I'm hoping we'll get some information in the post with waiting times or an idea of! Thank you again xx

OP posts:

Original poster

MybabyH · 12/01/2023 19:31

Smurf123 · 12/01/2023 19:27

Honestly if you can go private id probably say do it. My 4 (will be 5 in March) ds was referred to audiology 18 months ago... We are still waiting 😫 I can't afford to go private

I wasn't sure of the costs - we have a small amount of money saved up for a trip to disneyland paris which we've been saving for years) but I'd rather the money went on his wellbeing than a trip away if it'll stretch that far!!

Oh gosh 18 months I hope yours comes through soon :(

OP posts:

Original poster

MybabyH · 12/01/2023 19:35

Sorry its not phonics test it's a rosner 13 test my mistake (joys of being up all night with a croupy 2 year old!)

OP posts:

LucyBrown88 · 13/01/2023 16:01

Hearing problems is what has caused my son's speech difficulties. It turns out he had/has an excessive amount of wax in his ears. We now do weekly ear drops and daily for a week when it is build up due to colds etc. He also had fluid in one ear but this has naturally resolved itself.

As others have said if you are able to go private for at least the hearing test then do it! As reference for you I recently took my son for a private hearing test and it cost £195 (this was in Bristol). You can then use the results for this to get on the waitlist for NHS treatment such as grommets etc.

If you are looking for ideas on how to help your son at home with pronunciation then I would recommend having a look at the Five Minute Mum. Either her instagram page or books. She has quite a few fun activities on how to practice letters and sounds at home.

It might also be worth taking a look at Pippin the speech delay app. I'm currently on week 7 of their speech course with my son and have already seen progress in his words. They have a week focused on pronunciation but we haven't got to that week yet so can't comment if its useful!

pippinspeech.com/

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