Hearing Tests

[Mumtoprem]

I have a daughter aged 4 who has speech and language delay/SLI and we are currently having some investigations for a possible minor-moderate hearing loss. In short daughter failed both newborn screening tests and minor hearing loss was identified at ABR test when she was 6 months. More recently she has had pure tone audimoetry tests where she had raised hearing levels and suggestion she has minor-moderate hearing loss.

However, I am not sure how accurate the pure tone tests are ie if your child doesn't understand the test or just decides not to co-operate. I would have thought there was a more scientific test but the audiology people just seem to want to keep re-testing her with no action being taken so far.

Has anyone else here had issues with hearing tests and how did you get to the bottom of the hearing issue? Is there a specific test we should ask for?

Thanks
Michelle

there's some info on hearing tests here the ndcs has loads of info worth reading on their site and the helpline is good too. You can have tests done under sedation but generally they prefer not to do that, I know it all seems very unscientific but generally they're pretty good judges on whether kids are faking, especially if they are getting consistent results over a number of appointments which sounds like what they are currently doing with your dd.

My dd3 had an ABR under sedation which did give us a good idea of her hearing loss when she was a year old but the equipment our hospital has doesn't allow to test at all frequencies so it's only been the last year since she started doing the PTA that we've had really accurate results. So it can depend on what your hospital has available.

Do ask plenty of questions and what their plan of action is, does she have glue ear too that can often lead to a wait and see approach? And do push for more if you think they're dragging their heels, especially if you think hearing aids would help with her SLI, have they referred to a teacher of the deaf, they would advise too.

Thanks for the reply. She doesn't have glue ear or any fluid in the ear etc

Have done a lot of research on NCDS.

ABR under sedation is an option. We have now been referred to a more specialist hearing clinic so will see what they have to say in a couple of weeks.

No referral to a teacher of the deaf but we are still waiting for an official diagnosis of hearing loss really.

I think she does have some issues with her hearing - she says what or huh a lot and needs things repeating, she turns up the tv loud and has a number of issues with the pronounciation of her speech (for which she is statemented). It's hard to tell if these are language/understanding issues or hearing issues.