Thursday, July 30, 2009

Hearing Test...Hearing Loss

We went to the Audiologist today for our second appointment. The first appointment was a month ago and they were only able to test the left ear. The left ear had considerable impairment. So today we had a follow up appointment to test the right ear and see if we could retest the left. The Audiologist was pleasantly surprised that he did so well in the right ear. There is still some loss but it was quite a bit better than left ear. She tested the left ear again and there still was some hearing loss in the ear but it was less than the previous testing, which tends to look like a fluid issue because of the fluctuation. So technically she thinks that he has some conductive hearing loss in both ears, but mostly in the left ear. I know that conductive hearing loss is common in children with Down syndrome .


Unfortunately she was unable to do the actual test for fluid because Wysdom was freaking out a bit and he was not going to let anything else get done to him. I have never seen him cry so much. So we are set for an appointment in September, with an ENT. The Audiologist thinks that they may not put tubes in his ears because he has so much else going on.(ng, reflux, heart issues...)Of course I am not happy about the hearing loss but hopeful that it can improve with fluid drainage or with time. At least the right ear seems to have a better level of hearing. To tell you the truth we have been through a lot this last week(plastic surgeon, eye appointment and audiologist)..so in part I am glad that we got some good news. I am curious how many of your little ones have had fluid issues and tubes put in?

9 comments:

Laurie said...

Sorry to hear you've had such a medically busy week. Ugh, we've had those as well and they are very draining...
Dylan does not have fluid issues with his ears, but he has never officially passed a hearing test. Each time, they say that it appears that he has very mild hearing loss in his right ear. We go again in August for another test. But like you, I have heard that tubes are quite common in kiddos with Ds.
Good luck!

Beverly said...

glad you had some good news.
Noah had his first tubes put in at age 1 and then two sets after that. He continues to get fluid and ear infections. He hasnt had tubes since he was 3 1/2.

Googsmom said...

Brook has tubes. She has mild loss in each ear. Only one double ear infection ever. The fluid was building up in her ears from reflux. (b/c the flappy thing that controls where food/drink/air goes was not working properly) It seemed to help instantly. Her verbal words are much more clear sence then.
{{{{HUGS}}}

Evelyn Parham said...

Hi Sasha! Hannah had some issues with her hearing, but after she got tubes, her left ear improved dramatically. Wysdom will be fine and I'm sure when tubes are installed, things will be even better. Blessings to you!!

Sasha@ Blyssfulhealth said...

Thanks for sharing..it's good to know that others have gone through this and had improvements in hearing

kangfamily said...

Hi Sasha,
My name is Jenn and I found your blog through the wonderful DS blogging community! :) My daughter Madison was born October 29th with DS and an AVSD. She had her OHS on May 21st... so we have been on a similar path. Thanks for sharing your story. Your family is beautiful!

Lisa said...

So glad it sounds like fluid issues, which WILL resolve with time (or tubes, or both)!

Signe said...

Hi Sasha - found your blog from a BBC post. I am a member there as well. My little one Lauren has tubes and a confirmed hearing loss - mild-moderate.
She has been wearing hearing aids since about 9 months old (she just turned 2). Her loss is considered 'mixed' in that it is both conductive and sensori-neural. I hope that your little one will outgrow his loss. I have heard of this happening. Even Lauren's has gotten better over time but she sitll misses out on alot by not using the aids...so, we do what we have to do. If you have any questions, please email me at signenew@msn.com or look for me on the board.

ch said...

lc has confirmed hearing loss due to fluid...her pediatrician believes the fluid is mostly trapped reflux fluid.

We're pushing for tubes for LC although her fluid has never caused ear infections. We simply don't want her missing out on auditory stimulation until the fluid clears. (There's also the issue of wanting to get it done in the same calendar year as the OHS since the insurance deductible has been met. HA!)

We have a cool setting on our hair dryer and blow dry into her ear canals after every bath. She likes it alot and, while I'm not crediting it for ear infection-prevention, she's never had one so it must not be hurting anything.

Let us know what you find out along the way...we're always wanting to be proactive and somehow avoid whatever medical procedures we possibly can at the same time. Good luck, right?

Mr. Wysdom changes every time I see him. What a handsome devil.