Glue ear help 🤞🏻

[ToddlerMumma21]

Any mum’s with experience of glue ear?
are these things likely a result of glue ear or maybe ASD?

So, hearing tests In April and May were were considered at least moderate high frequency hearing loss. September normal hearing. ENT believes the only explanation is temporary hearing loss which is likely glue ear.

We have 0 consistent words and some obvious delays with interaction. We have started SaLT privately, assessment and review so far with the view to do regular week. We are seeing a huge increase in imitation of actions and copying and also turn taking and some imitation of babbling sounds during babbling exchanges.

Some other observations -

• doesn’t always respond to name (hearing is now considered fine)
• some repetitive behaviours - rocking, and kind of waves one arm.
• recently noticed at times she goes stiff when excited with mouth open.
• busy - runs about allllll the time!
• independent, share attention is improving but definitely not at the same level as similar aged children. Doesn’t take much notice of other children but is looking at them more.

-Mouths

• Throws a lot
• doesnt point or gesture much other than reach to be held. Has started pointing in books and using my hand to point but no mid air pointing to show me something.

I am so proud of her - she is engaging in role play and has finally taken an interest in books which I hope will provide me with more opportunities to develop receptive and expressive language.

I have actioned all other referrals. had a SOGS assessment.due another next month. The HV ‘isn’t worried’ ENT and hearing loss charity all highlight the impact of hearing loss.

I guess I’m writing this as because of her attention difficulties it’s really hard to implement a lot of the strategies, I obviously still do! So I have mostly focused on people games to help with joint attention, it is helping I’d say and we have seen lots of Small steps of progress. She’s also more vocal than before and often babbling what sounds like words But mostly just random babble as opposed to the turn taking functional sort of conversational style.

thank you!!

It could be either. It is brilliant you have had referral for further assessment.

Thank you. I actually reposted this as nobody replied before so thank you, we have had some words recently and understanding is coming along too. We are waiting for another hearing test. The HV has referred to Paeds, basically because I have been requesting opinions for over a year now, plus she miscalculated the SOGS in December so it looks like she scored lower that she did.

do you have experience of glue ear?

I am sorry you didn’t get a reply previously.

2 of my DC had glue ear.

how old is your daughter ? My son also had glue ear with moderate hearing loss and we had similar concerns

28 months. They were pleased that hearing was normal in September but I’m conscious they signed her off then. so just waiting for another audiology appt.

it was like her communication paused around the same time. We had a leaky eye and noise on inhale that ENT said all connected.

it’s her social skills, that are definitely developing but I don’t know whether the hearing explains it. April May she was hearing at 45db, moderate I think.

it’s all a worry!

So my son needed grommets and hearing aids prior to that. We noticed a definite difference in understanding and social interaction since the hearing aids. He was a different baby prior to that.
did they have any concerns regarding her social development at her 2 year health visitor review ? Is she pointing ? How does she score on the MCHAT ?
I would say if she is not pointing , not using gestures and not using non verbal communication to make up for the lack of verbal then I would probably be wanting a developmental review. As the hearing loss could be the cause for delay in speech but she should be using non verbal ways to communicate to make up for it if that makes sense ? Also do nursery have any concerns ?

Fyi

So at the moment she points using my finger.
Yes I’ve done m chat, it’s in the middle risk.

her pretend play is also good! She’s come along a lot, I suspect her hearing has been intermittent!

does your little one have ASD too? Nobody seems to know, she’s started saying go, and up. Private SaLt thinks she’s now developing typically In Terms of language just delayed. I’d say her understanding sits at ablut 18 months.

Thank you, how did you know it was ASD as well as hearing?

When did she start to do pretend play and what kind of things does she do? Does she make any sounds or words?
no mine hasn’t got a diagnosis of ASD , thought to be speech delay because of the hearing loss for now so I’m just waiting and seeing how he develops! He is having private speech and language therapy too. The SALT said that it is rare for an autistic child to have pretend play at a young age , not sure how true that is but that’s why I was asking !

pretend play about 28 months. Feeds dolls, dog, make up on me, pours teapots drinks tea etc. she also pretends things are other things like a bubble wand as pen, bowl as hat.

she is fairly vocal. Yesterday she imitated aaa and eee which now looks like her copying has developed into sounds. She says eeee ( eat) as she feeds them and has started to say uh for up as she’s going upstairs or up the slide. She has said go twice this week.

I don’t think pretend play has anything to do sit the actual diagnostic criteria though?

Sorry about 20 months’ this summer it really started. Feeding dolls. Etc! She feeds her soft dog, puts his face to his water bowl. Brushes him etc.

Just an update!
since posting - we now have;

1. pointing
2. following my point
3. Requesting me to help
4. following simple one step instructions - come, give, get drink!!

I am over the moon.

I am going to keep working on these areas to strengthen them. ❤️

Any advice greatly received 😊

how is your little girl now?