2 failed hearing tests=mild-moderate hearing loss

[Gem13]

My LO failed her hearing test twice and they've said she has a mild-moderate hearing loss and they've advised hearing aids

She can hear quite a lot but it will be the quiet sounds in words she will struggle with, the aids will help her hear how to form the words so that she doesn't have any speech issue in the future.

My hubby is deaf, they haven't said it's from him but more than likely, I've not said anything about a connection as I'm sure he feels bad enough himself-I can't help but feel a little bit resentful to him though.

I know it's in her best interest & will give her the best start in life but I just don't want her to have them.

I'm totally devastated

Is anybody else in the same boat?

 

[horseybird]

Hello. We are in the same boat. We have a 6 week old. She has a severe hearing loss and can only hear very loud shouting. We get our hearing aids next week. No history of deafness in our family. Think we are just unlucky. We ve been told she may not get all the speech sounds, so we have to wait and see.

It's stressful but in the future they will grow up knôwing no different and will still be loved, we may just have to do things a little differently. Have to add the NHS have been great we have so much support x

 

[mummytobe_93]

Sorry to hear you're going through this. No experience myself but the fact it's only moderate is a good sign and seems like she will live a very normal life xx

 

[SoBlessedMama]

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time!!! Our oldest is now 5, and he failed the initial screening. He was referred to a specialist, and passed fine.

Our baby is almost 4 months, and he also failed the initial test. We were referred to a specialist, and his appointment was Tuesday. I was SHOCKED when he didn't pass. He (IMO) obviously hears--startles to sounds, responds to voices, coos, etc. We have a diagnostic test March 3rd. They said if the loss is mild, he will likely just have to be monitored. If it is more severe, of course they'll advise a hearing aid (it seems to be just one ear that he keeps failing--the other is closer to passing.)

He is such a sweet baby, and so healthy and happy. I keep telling myself "it is what it is" and it won't be the end of the world if he has to have a hearing aid. Of course it is upsetting since we want them to be healthy and perfect 100% of the time. But like HB said, they will grow up knowing no differently, and of course will be loved.

I really don't think our little guy has any significant loss, but obviously something is going on for him to keep failing tests. : ( Part of my stance may also just be mommy denial because I don't want him to struggle.

I am anxious for his diagnostic test in a few weeks, and would love some advice from you ladies if we find he does need intervention. I know I'd love the support, and sometimes it is a comfort just to know you're not alone!!

Big, big hugs!!!!

 

[Frustrated42]

If you don't mind me asking what made you ladies suspicious of hearing lose? Where I live they don't do initial screening at birth. I have thought since my LO was born in October that my son has some sort of hearing lose. He will startle at loud sounds but doesn't respond the way I feel he should when we are talking to him. I brought it up at his 2 month appointment and the doctor said if I was still worried at his 4 month appointment that they would refer us for testing. Everyone thinks I'm crazy because he will startle at loud sounds but I honestly think when we are just talking normally he doesn't hear us properly. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[SoBlessedMama]

Frustrated, I'm sorry you're dealing with that. You know your baby better than anyone, and if you think he isn't responding as he should, there is a good chance you're right.

I've not noticed any signs that I think indicate that our little guy can't hear--I wouldn't have a clue that he was having issues if it wasn't for the hearing test. Some of the things the specialist talked about as indicators were if a baby doesn't respond to voices, doesn't turn head at hearing someone enter the room, doesn't startle, doesn't coo and respond to talking. Basically it might seem like the baby is living in his/her own little world.

If you feel something is off, I would say push for testing as soon as possible. Trust your gut when it comes to your baby! I really hope it turns out to be nothing for you!!

 

[Frustrated42]

Thanks soblessedmomma his 4 month appointment is next week and I'm going to push for testing. If it turns out that he is fine then at least I have peace of mind.

 

[Kitteh_Kat]

DD is deaf in her right ear right now, so I was concerned about the hearing in her left. I remember when she was under 3 months she wouldn't always react to loud noises, and she didn't seem to be responding to normal noises like I thought she should. She had a full hearing test done at 3 and 1/2 months, and her hearing in her left was completely normal.

Hope the test goes well, Frustrated!

 

[SoBlessedMama]

Frustrated, I hope you can get an appointment soon, and that you get great results. : )

Kitteh, if you don't mind my asking--did you have to do any intervention (hearing aids, implants, etc) for your daughter, or was one ear hearing at normal levels enough for her to manage well?

I don't understand completely how the tests are measured, but in one ear, DS gets "close to passing" and the other ear, a little sound registers.

 

[Kitteh_Kat]

At her first appointment with an ENT doctor he recommended a hands off approach to see how she did on her own, and to just monitor before any interventions. She's in the normal or above normal ranges for all her developments per her 18 month checkup, so it hasn't held her back so far. The ENT doctor did say that the body is good at adapting, because they don't know any other way (versus someone that goes from normal hearing to a hearing loss).

We have an appointment next week to get established with the hospital that did her hearing test, and I'm going to ask what they recommend going forward.

Technology has come so far, and there wonderful aids out there, even for babies! A lot of babies in the group I joined on Facebook have soft BAHAs, and they look so cute with the bands on. Hopefully your son is able to advance on his own though.

 

[horseybird]

It was picked up with the newborn screening test. We didn't have a clue. It was only once we failed the initial one we tried making noises by her head and she never reacted, not even to very loud ones. My first daughter used to startle and wake to loud noises x

 

[SoBlessedMama]

At her first appointment with an ENT doctor he recommended a hands off approach to see how she did on her own, and to just monitor before any interventions. She's in the normal or above normal ranges for all her developments per her 18 month checkup, so it hasn't held her back so far. The ENT doctor did say that the body is good at adapting, because they don't know any other way (versus someone that goes from normal hearing to a hearing loss).

We have an appointment next week to get established with the hospital that did her hearing test, and I'm going to ask what they recommend going forward.

Technology has come so far, and there wonderful aids out there, even for babies! A lot of babies in the group I joined on Facebook have soft BAHAs, and they look so cute with the bands on. Hopefully your soon is able to advance on his own though.

That's great she has been able to come so far on her own already! : )

I lean more towards a hands-off approach, unless of course the diagnostic test shows profound loss. I just feel like my gut is telling me he CAN hear, and I'm afraid if I want to "wait and see" I will look like the bad parent for not intervening. I am all for helping him if he needs it--but I just feel like he responds so well to things already, that I'm a bit baffled that he can't pass the test.

TBH, I think our 5 year old doesn't have the greatest hearing. We often have to repeat things to him (lol of course that is sometimes a listening problem and not a hearing problem.) But developmentally he is perfect, his speech is fine, his vocabulary is huge. He mispronounces a few words, but when we correct it, he picks up quickly. So obviously if he does have some loss, he's done a great job compensating for it. I just hope little guy can see the same results.

 

[SoBlessedMama]

Just an update on our little guy--it turns out he has hearing loss in both ears, (right is moderate, left is severe) and will be getting his first pair of hearing aids on March 26th. I've accepted it, and TBH, I'm excited to see how he responds and grows once he has them in place. I hope you and your little ones are all doing well. I'd love to chat with you ladies and stay up on how everyone is doing and "compare notes" as this is a brand new experience for us!

 

[horseybird]

I'm glad you are in a better place. I can definitely see a difference in our girl when she has her aids in. She just seems more animated and coos and gurgles in response to being spoken to. The NHS are continuing to be really supportive. Think her future is bright x best of luck xx

 

[Gem13]

Here's our update, Hattie was due to have her aids fitted 2 weeks ago but as I was in denial(still am) they tested her again. Apparently she has to hear sounds at 30 but she's only hearing them at 45/50. Even though the professionals are saying it I just still don't believe it-she jumps to loads noises, turns her head to voices, listens to the music on her bunch chair.

They've said she can hear most things-but may struggle with the quiet sounds in words, if she can't hear those she might not understand how the word is formed & therefore struggle herself to form them.

Part of me wants to leave her for a short time to see how she copes herself but don't want to seem like a bad mummy and that it's all about the cosmetic side of it.

We're due to have the moulds sized up this morning and I'm dreading it, still haven't read all the paperwork they gave us.

 

[SoBlessedMama]

HB, that is great to hear! I hope our little guy responds as well as your little girl. I thought he responded well before, but I guess a big part of his responses must be visual and I just didn't realize it.

Gem, I understand, and I am so sorry you're still struggling with it. TBH, if Davis's hearing loss was categorized as mild, I'd do the exact same thing as you. You're not a bad mom in any sense of the word--you're a great mom for worrying and wanting the very best for her. I hope it all works out for you so you can have some resolution and feel good about however you're able to move forward. I hope your appointment today goes well!!

 

[Gem13]

Thank you SoBlessedMama, it was emotional, I kind of acted like a child and just sat there staring at the floor as I knew if I spoke my voice would break and I wouldn't be able to speak like a normal human being!!

Impressions taken and we chose the colour - now just got to wait for them to come in, another couple of weeks in denial then reality will strike.

It's nice to read I'm not alone

 

[SoBlessedMama]

That's exactly right, Gem--we are all in the same boat!!! I'm so thankful for the support here. And it definitely helps to know we aren't alone.

This sounds odd, but Davis's appointment was in a children's hospital, and that helped my perspective IMMENSELY the day of his appointment. We walked by the oncology wing, we saw sweet little kids with bald heads from chemo, we saw little ones in wheelchairs, we saw precious babies with severe physical and mental disabilities. Of course his news was sad, and hard to hear--but it really was much easier to take when all the things that we could be dealing with were so visually present. He is a happy, healthy, active little guy--my prayer at this point is that the hearing aids do their job, and he is able to develop as he should.

 

[SoBlessedMama]

And Gem, we will be in it together when we get the hearing aids--Davis gets his March 26th. You're not alone--we will support each other. Something that helped me also was to watch YouTube videos of little babies getting their hearing aids and/or cochlear implants for the first time. Their faces light up, and they laugh and coo--it is SO sweet. If we can see that kind of reaction, I think that would help get things on a positive note as well.

 

[Gem13]

Not sure when we have ours fitted, probably about 2 weeks. Think I'm finding it hard because she hears so much at home so I think they're wrong!

I know exactly what you mean about people being worse off. One of my closest friends starts her chemo for breast cancer today-she's 31 and has 2 young kids. I felt right butch moaning about my problems when she is going through this