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hearing loss in 5yo--what to expect?

659 views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  pamelamama 
#1 ·
maybe this isn't the place for this post, but one of my children is pretty intense and wild and displaying what I thought was just "spirited" behavior. I decided to homeschool my children because of his special challenges. Well, I have been sending the two oldest to a one day a week community program for homeschoolers and there have been repeated complaints about ds2's behavior. ds2 does not listen they say; are you sure he is 5; he gets left behind; he doesn't pack up fast enough. they asked about his hearing...well, our co-pay has been 35 per visit, so none of my children go to the doc if there isn't a reason and of my 4 kids ds2 is the healthiest (the other 3 have asthma, allergies, hospital stays, etc). i resisted the implication that his hearing is impaired and did not have it tested until the gym "teacher" called and asked me to just take advantage of the local public school and see the nurse for a hearing test. what could it hurt? she said as long as she knew it wasn't his hearing she could "crack down" a little on his behavior, right?

well, i took him that day and he
DOESN'T HEAR out of his left ear (almost AT ALL...he heard like one beep out of 25 or something like that)

all this time I thought he was just NOT LISTENING and he couldn't always hear me. he talked a little later (and louder) than my first, but since he speaks fine and everything, I just ASSUMED his hearing was FINE.

well, we see a specialist in a couple weeks, and they will assess him, but I am not sure what to expect from this assessment or what might happen afterward (a hearing aid, surgery, could it be just wax?, will it repair on its own, was he born this way or is it a recent development?)

i feel like a louse for not checking it out sooner (chicago did NOT do automatic hearing screenings for newborns like arizona does so most people here know if there's something wrong sooner)
thanks for any input.
 
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#2 ·
Hi Tiffany,

I have no personal experience with hearing loss, however I think it's wonderful that you have answers!!! When you get a game plan after the next appointment, it will be a burden lifted off your shoulders.

Darshani
 
#3 ·
You'll find out the nature of the hearing loss, and most likely get some kind of technology to help him get along better. He's going to really function as a hearing person, most likely, and get a hearing aid so he's not missing out on some information, depending on what's going on with that ear.

HTH!
 
#4 ·
thanks darshani and pamela...

you're right that he will probably function without special accomodations once they treat the loss....hopefully there is no permanent damage that can't be aided.

my sister's SIL has no hearing in one ear and she cannot tell many times from where a sound comes and she will do a doubletake when she hears her child cry...not knowing if he is upstairs or downstairs or right next to her.

i sure hope his problem is more treatable.
 
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