My 7 yr old son failed his hearing test at school. We brought him to an audiologist doctor and they pretty much said that he also failed the test there. The result was almost identical from the one we gave them from the school, anyways they suggested to have an MRI in his ears since they cannot find anything wrong with his ears there. SO we set up an MRI appt then found out that there was nothing wrong with his ears. There was no broken bones or eardrums or whatever holes etc.,, but they still suggest to have him put on hearing aids since he failed his hearing test. I was taken back with this suggestion, because why would we put him in hearing aids if they cannot tell us what exactly wrong with his hearing? If anyone can help I would really like an answer. They said it could be sensoneuro loss, but when we got the result from the MRI, they also clear it from that...so now I dont know what to do? He is fine, hes doing great at school, no complaints from teachers and everything, the only thing was he failed the hearing test.
I had set up another appt for him for a second opinion....and this time I set an appt for a pediatric Audiologist who dealt with kids. I think the previous doctor is a little harsh because he felt like even we are telling him hes fine and everything, he is relying with the test from the school. so waiting for this. Thanks for all the great feedback, I appreciate it all :)
Look into "processing disorders"- this is what my daughter has. Physically her hearing is fine, but the way she interprets sounds in her brain is not.
Hope this helps.
I am not sure where "lucky" is coming from. If your child has been diagnosed with a problem as serious as loss of hearing, you need to get to the bottom of it. Failing a hearing test is much more serious than forgeting where you put your underwear. Seriously...not do anything?
I would definitely looking at processing disorders and if you can't find your answers there maybe try the hearing aid to see if you notice a change. My son was legally blind for a long time before we noticed anything wrong. Kids are resilient and great at compensating but that could cause serious harm if you wait it out. Your child may miss critical skills in learning because he can't hear, which could result in delays later. Stay on this and you won't regret it.
Hope this helps.
N.
I have hearing loss and wear hearing aids and the audiologist could not give me a reason for the loss. Granted I am much older than your son but I have been dealing with this since high school. As much as you want a reason for it, please get the hearing aids for your son. You can not even imagine what he has not been able to hear.
Why do anything at all??? Does he hear you when you call him? Is there any trouble comprehensing what is read, sung or said???? That is very strange. Does anyone have to do any execissve repeating? If he is not bothered and doing well in school and socially, I'd just keep an eye on him.
Hi P.. I have an 8 year old son who is deaf in one ear, so I have numerous experiences with audiologists. I would not purchase hearing aids until you are sure they will actually help his hearing. We purchased very expensive hearing aids (and insurance covers very little of the expense) and they ended up being a waste of money. I would recommend getting another opinion--maybe see an ENT specialist vs. an audiologist. We live in Downers Grove, and the best audiologist we work with is actually through SASED (special education services through our school district). They are trained in how his hearing loss impacts his school performance. I am not saying hearing aids won't help your son, but I do think audiologists are quick to prescribe them--and as parents, we were desperate to help our son so we did that right away and it turned out not being the right decision for him. Good luck with everything! Feel free to email me privately if you have additional questions.
Best,
R.
Dr. Anderson in the Offices at Rush Oak Park is an Audiologist that Specialized in Children and she has a great bedside manner, if you are looking for an other opinion.
Interesting. I'd think if he couldn't hear well, he would be having problems at school. I would speak to another ENT about this. Maybe he didn't understand the hearing test. If it's like the ones I have, one pushes a button when he hears a sound...but even for me it gets a little confusing if a sound was there or not. I personally would wait it out. See how he does in school, at home, etc. If you don't suspect a hearing issue based on his behavior (he hears you speak to him, he can hear you w/out seeing your lips, he can hear you when you speak quietly, he can hear the tv when the volume is low), then just have him tested again in 6 months. As a side note...I have some high frequency hearing loss due to nerve damage in my ear, due to a cold. I had 2 mri's (to make sure there wasn't a tumor). Anyhow, I don't believe an mri can pick up nerve damage (which will cause hearing loss). For me, my hearing test results & details of my cold confirmed the hearing loss (plus I have tinnitus...ringing in my ear). Ask the dr. if the mri will pick up nerve damage. Also, ask your son if he hears any static like sounds in his ear.
hearing aids dont interefere with the ear drum i say do it it buys you some time to figure out what the real problem is. it is at least a temporary fix until you can find out what else is going on. there are a lot of variables on hearing loss. fluid, ear infections, bones as you said. adn I think its something to do with tendons or something in the ear. also take into consideration how severe his hearing loss is. mild he can probably do without an aid. moderate to severe he needs it.
