My daughter has “significant hearing loss”
A couple of months ago my daughter started saying “what?” a lot. At first we thought she was being a smart ass (yes, they start as young as four) and then we thought she was just choosing to hear what she wanted to hear. And then, finally, we thought, “shit, maybe something is wrong.”
It took five weeks to get an appointment for a pediatric hearing test at a well-respected hospital near us. In that time my daughter’s hearing seemed to get better, so we thought maybe it was a fluke — or whatever was wrong had passed. In retrospect, her hearing didn’t get better, we just talked to her differently.
In the four and a half years I’ve been a parent I’ve been lucky, in that I haven’t had a lot of drama. My kids are generally well behaved, funny as hell, and have had no physical or learning delays. So today when I was sitting in a room watching my daughter not respond to beeps — my heart just sunk. And then, when the tester came in and told me that my daughter had significant hearing loss in one ear and minor loss in the other, I tried not to panic. My first question was “Okay, so what do I do next and is this something that we can fix?”
Although the tester was not an ENT, and not authorized to diagnose anything other than what she learned from the tests, she told me that this sort of thing can be common; kids get ear infections that never fully go away and fluid forms, blocking the ear drum from hearing properly (at least, that’s what I think she told me). If, in fact, this is the case, then antibiotics should clear it up… and if that doesn’t work they can put temporary tubes in her ears (also very common). I am hoping the medicine does the trick.
My biggest concern now is getting her into the right ENT. This is my kid we are talking about. I don’t want to go to the pediatric ENT down the block. I want the best of the best… but I’ve already been told by a couple of doctors that I’d have to wait until February to see them. Apparently good doctors are either in very high demand or they are golfing too much to actually see patients — or maybe some combination of the two.
Update: It turns out that my daughter’s hearing loss was, in fact, due to fluid in her ears (likely caused by an ear infection never completely clearing up). She took antibiotics for two weeks and aced her next hearing test. My lesson learned: If you can’t get an appointment with the doctor you want — have a different doctor call to help get you in. Also, always go with your gut!
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Amy,
It sounds like an absolutely terrifying experience for you. I am sure she’ll be absolutely fine, and tubes are SUPER common– but it doesn’t make it any less nerve-racking. Fingers crossed for a quick antibiotic fix.
xoxoxo
Carrie
Hey Amy,
I sympathize with your feelings. Some people without kids think they know real stress, but don’t…
Of course, not knowing the cause yet has got to be awful. I’m bad that way. I’ve had a lot of experience with tubes, and a bunch with pediatricians, so I’ll humbly offer a few things-
First, I had tubes in & out maybe 4 times beginning when I was around 4 up until 12. Personally I kinda liked the anesthesia (had an awesome Star Trek hallucination), and the hospital was actually kind of fun. My ears hurt before my first operation (that’s what lead to it) but recovery was really fast. Each time. This was in the early 1970s, and they are -much- better at it now.
Second, I know they told you it would be a while before you could see someone. You can always try insisting. A lot. I know this isn’t much of a concession but at least by being a giant pain in the ass you’ll know you’re doing your part and not feel guilty about whatever wait remains.
Last – again, little consequence but just wanted to share – my ear troubles cleared up when we moved from Pennsylvania to San Diego. Went away. Gone. I had a final surgery to patch up an eardrum, but that was it. My troubles returned when I moved back to Pennsylvania ten years later. Just saying.
So… hang in there. Knowing you are there for her will help your daughter probably more than anything else right now.
My sister was diagnosed with hearing loss at about the same age as your daughter. She’s worn hearing aids since elementary school, but has had a 100% perfectly normal life other than having a little something extra in her ears (which really isn’t that different from wearing glasses if you think about it). Anyhow, good luck with the ENT, but let me know if you have any questions I might be able to help with.
Hey Amy-
I can imagine what you’re going through. I agree with the previous poster-there is no concern like the concern for your kid. My thoughts go out to you and your family, I’m sure she’ll be fine!
February my ass. We’ll have her in there in no time. In my experience its always about who you know when it comes to Doctors. Name dropping gets you everywhere!
Thanks everyone…. I’ve had ENT phone numbers pouring in! I am certain I will get her in there soon.
Wow! This is such an unbelievable thing to happen. I can totally relate to thinking of it as her being a wise ass. You never know with our little ones. But it is good that you knew to follow through and check it out further. Thank goodness for parents’ intuition;) I am sure she will be fine. My thoughts are with you.
Wow! We’re thinking about you guys and we hope it turns out to be no big deal. We’ve recently dealt with the frustration of waiting for doctors appointments for diagnoses, and then for treatment. Our nephew was diagnosed with autism. Stay positive and don’t freak out until it’s time to!!