Life with two kids: Adventures in the hearing trade

[andrewducker]

When Gideon was born they did a hearing test, which showed that one side was just fine, and the othe side was a bit clogged. So they made a note to set us up for a hearing test at 3 months.

And then, when the appointment letter arrived we were away, so he ended up being more like 5 months old. Which is old enough that when you attach a cold metal strip to their forehead they wake the hell up and let you know their displeasure. And we tried this on two successive appointments, to see if we could make it work, but alas no.

So they scheduled him in for something nearer 9 months, which became 10 ½ months,and which is where I was this morning with him. We had a nice relaxing bus journey into the hospital together (only 15 minutes away).

Sadly, he has hardly been socialised at all. Only three people who aren't me or Jane have held him, and none of them have managed more than ten seconds.

The screaming started when we got to the reception, and the receptionists dared to talk to me. He then calmed down, and was happy playing in the waiting area. I could tell when the hearing specialist came to collect us, by the screaming starting again.

It then stayed for the next 20 minutes while they vainly tried to test the hearing of a child whose voice was louder than the noises they were trying to test him with. They were very understanding, and have dealt with this a lot over the last year, but it can't be any fun for them.

But he starts nursery in just over a month, so we've scheduled in another appointment for 4-ish months from now, and we'll see if that goes any better.

Comments

[cmcmck]

My little brother had these issues and 'they' picked them up late like when he was eleven, so I'm glad it's being looked at now.

[andrewducker]

It is great that they start looking at it at birth, as standard, and keep on it until they're signed off. Decent process like that makes a huge difference.

My sympathy to your brother!

[bohemiancoast]

Marianne (now 24) was in a pilot group for neonatal hearing testing. It's an amazing advance.

[andrewducker]

Longer ago than I thought! And yes, it's great. I mean, hopefully nothing is wrong, but ensuring that these things get picked up and everyone gets the support they need is fantastic.

[cellio]

Wow, that's rough -- it's hard when you can't yet talk with them and explain why and generally reason with them. (I don't have kids, but I've had so many "if only I could explain to you" or "if only you could tell me" moments with pets that I have to imagine it's similar with kids too young to understand.)

But wow, they can test hearing that young? Neat! I hope you get a successful test next time.

[anef]

Sympathy. Best wishes for next time.

Training runs.

[agoodwinsmith]

I know you've probably thought of this, but just in case: you could do monthly training runs. Go to the clinic, sit in the waiting room, leave. GTTC, sit in the waiting room, speak to someone while still seated. GTTC, sit in the waiting room, stand to speak to someone. GTTC, sit in the waiting room, borrow an ear-looking-at tool (the basic one) and let Gideon handle it. Blah blah blah. Make it monotonous. I am sure Gideon can feel your worry that he is going to scream. You'll be a little tenser and a different kind of alert.

I know he is heading to nursery and you are hoping some of that will help, but he's already had two scream-worthy experiences at the hearing clinic.