So, when I called to schedule the hearing test, they got us in this morning...turns out I didn't need an actual appointment, I could have just come in any time.
We waited and waited, in typical dr's office style...Bella went into the little room with the nurse. I tried to stay in there, but it's hard to concentrate when Aube's whining. So, the nurse comes out and says Bella refused to say she heard anything out of the right ear. Which could be Bella being Bella and not paying attention...or...it could be something else, which there has ALWAYS been that question...but I have never pushed it, so that question lingers.
This time I was determined to push it. I told myself walking in, if the results are questionable...we are not putting this off. So... the nurse tells me about the right ear and tries to tell me "oh, just come back in like 2-3 months and we'll test it again" and I'm like ummm, no, please don't say that to me. And I'm starting to question this nurse, trying to ask her about what else we can do...when I hear the doctor come out of a room and say "no, I need to talk to you mom if the results aren't clear" and I just wanted to HUG HER. Thank you, THANK YOU for helping me get this going to the next step.
So, they contacted Cooks Children's Hospital (? they just called it Cooks, I'm assuming it was audiology there?) who are supposed to contact me by next Tuesday.
Like the doctor said, it may be nothing, maybe it's her attention span...but getting a more definite test done will put our worries and questions to rest.
12 comments:
This is something near and dear to me, having a niece and nephew who both wear hearing aids and who will both eventually get cochlear implants. You have to push and nag and push and nag because when it comes to kids and hearing TIME means EVERYTHING! I think you're doing the right thing. And if you need an audiologist or any other recommendations I'm sure my sister Mandie would be happy to share. Best of luck and let us know what they say!
Wow I'd smack that nurse!! I love doctors like yours!! Who actually say well let's do this just in case instead of just sweeping it under the rug.. Hopefully nothing serious is wrong.. :)
Hi, I'm Missy's sister.
Have you seen an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor or her regular doctor? Good ENT's take symptoms of hearing loss very seriously and they will exhaust every possibility to properly diagnose your child. You won't have an experience with nurses like that, and you'll get through the whole diagnostic process so much faster. Our ENT is in Coppell and he is one of the best in the state. His name is Dr. Paul Bauer, 972-745-8400. They even have an audiologist on staff that can do booth tests and ABRs in the office. Cooks has a really good audiology dept as well, so you'll be in good hands.
If Bella does have hearing loss, she's going to be fine. Technology in the hearing world is AMAZING and she will be able to live a very normal life as a hearing person.
I'm sorry for all of this unsolicited advice, but I had to maneuver and fight through the system with my kids as they were getting tested, and it would have been so much easier for me if someone had shown me the way. Good luck, and please don't hesitate to email me if you need anything! brianmandie@gmail.com
Oh, and while you're waiting for an appointment, there is something that YOU can do to test her hearing and its super fast and easy. When you are playing with her and she is totally focused and engaged, tell her to repeat what she hears. Place your hand in front of your mouth so she can't see you speak and have her repeat the sounds, "aaah" "oooo" "eeee" "mmmm" "shhh" and "sss." These are called the Ling six sounds and they are a good sample of the sounds and frequencies heard within the spoken language. Speech therapists and parents in the hearing loss world swear by it. If she doesn't get it right away, just do it every day until she gets the hang of the process mixing up the order of the sounds so she doesn't start to memorize it. You'll be able to tell pretty quickly if she hears them, and that will give you a good idea how well she's hearing in general.
Thank you SO much for that, Mandie (and the rest of ya's, of course)...I actually read your blog frequently, and I've learned alot from reading about your experiences with your kiddos! Your advice is golden...I didn't even THINK about going to an ENT. And the sounds exercise is something we're going to try.
Good for you, Sarah! I'm glad to hear that you were so persistant with the nurse! And how great to have a doctor react like that. Hugs and kisses to Bella, and wow, Mandie gave you a lot of great advice!
Yay for good docs!! It makes a huge difference and good for you for standing up for Bella!! Keep us updated!
I know a lot has changed in 20 years (thankfully!), but I’m pretty impressed that you (and the doctors) are catching this potential hearing loss so early! I had hearing problems as a child myself – and wasn’t diagnosed until I was in 3rd grade!!! I had surgery and, while I don’t know what my hearing is today (bad me for not taking myself to the doctor), no one would ever know I used to be hearing impaired.
Bella will be fine – I’m sure you’re not worried about that. The biggest hassle will be you having to be her advocate. Luckily you’ve got yourself here a fine community of experts (i.e. Mandy/Missy).
I totally agree with getting Bella into a ENT. After Chloe was hospitalized last year for Mastoiditis in her ear she was seen by an ENT and he was amazing with her and he set up hearing tests for her to make sure she didn't have hearing loss due to the surgery. We saw him periodically throughout the next year and he was very good at being precise and checking everything. Good Luck!
I've had my kids at Cooks a few times and have always been really happy there. Yea for standing up for Bella and I hope everything works out!
I'm so glad you are about to get some answers! It's been such a mystery for so long. Boo! to that nurse.
Good!! Let us know asap!! And, what a butt... that dumb nurse! Seriously, like that's your child and her hearing!!!
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