ENT appt yesterday... and some not great news (long, sorry)
Peanut and Little Man had their ENT specialist appointment yesterday. We went because Peanut has had a persistent ear infection (it took 5 rounds of different antibiotics-- back-to-back-- to partially clear it, but she still has it). Little Man was pretty much just along for the ride (he has had some ear infections, but nothing near what Peanut has had).
After talking with us for a bit, the Dr. ended up sending both kiddos for hearing tests (we were at Children's, so luckily this just meant waiting there for the audiologist to be available). This was mostly to assess Peanut's hearing to help us decide whether or not to do tubes.
As it turns out, Peanut's hearing is ok, but she does need tubes because her membrane is not flexing properly.
What really shocked both S and I is that the audiologist found that Little Man has "significant" hearing loss. The Dr. said he can hear, but it sounds like he's under water and someone is talking to him from above the water.
Little Man is behind Peanut in language acquisition (he says 3-4 words to Pnut's 10+), but we never thought it could be because he can't hear!
The Dr. said there is a surgery they can do to try to help, so we're going to go ahead with that. LM will also get tubes at the same time to help ward off ear infections so we can preserve the hearing he does have.
Anyway, so that's where we are at this point. We're both upset about it all, but grateful that we found out about J's hearing loss now instead of months/years from now when he showed evidence of being further delayed. We'd appreciate your T&Ps for our sweet little kiddos. Thanks!
IUI #3 gave us the best 2nd anniv. gift ever: 2 babies! (born 03/09/10)
Peanut and Little Man are getting so big! 2 years old already!
finally blogging again at This Will Be: An Adventure
Re: ENT appt yesterday... and some not great news (long, sorry)
IVF Oct/Nov 2012
Beta #1 = 77, Beta #2 = 190, Beta #3 = 1044
Cautiously optimistic.
Married my best friend 5*15*2008 Trying to start our family 8*2011
unmedicated iui#3= bfp 10/20/11! beta#1=11, beta#2=85, beta#3=741,beta#4=1000,beta#5=2146,beta#6=7454 *please keep doubling*
I'm sorry the outcome wasnt what you were expecting
but kudos to you for being proactive mamas who found this early! We'll all be thinking of you!
Blogs: Our Growing Family - CT Working Moms
Aww this will be ... so sorry to here this news but so happy that you caught this early - and that it sounds correctable ... My whole family practically had tubes so that is easy cheesy- actually i think i was the only one who did not get them ... but I have ton of ENT problems now as an adult ..
Thinking of you and sending love and hugs your way ! Keep us posted on those ADORABLE TWO!
j
our Blog -http://dosbabies.wordpress.com/
TTC#1 since 2004
LGBT
4 cycles @ home with known donor - BFN
RE un-medicated IUI cycles # 1-7= BFN
NEW RE Clomid 50mg/ Ovidrel/ IUI #8 BFN
Took long break
Nov 2009 - Clomid 50mg/ Ovidrel/IUI #9 = BFP
Beta 12/4 - 10...Beta #2 12/7- 28 Beta #3 12/9 - 80!
1st sonogram 12/28 - slow hb and growth
m/c 1/1/2010 Courtland 8w0d
Nov 2010 cycle cancelled - polyp removal/hysteroscopy
April 4 2011 - IUI #10 BFFN
July 5, 2011 - #11 BFFN AMH .62 Boo
Hugs
I am so sorry that you got this news. I hope the surgery helps. You may want to get him evaluated for early intervention. We found them so helpful and little ones make so much progress with therapies. That with the surgeries could be really helpful. The eval is super easy and they come to the house. My school is the regional m.s. for deaf and hard of hearing kids so if you have any questions or are interested in resources let me know and I can may be able connect you with people with some answers.
N2A and TWB -- I just want you guys to know that you have a great resource for working with deaf and hard of hearing children in your backyard -- Gallaudet University/Cleric Learning Center. I had done my undergraduate and graduate studies there. They can provide you with resources to help if you have any questions. Yes, they're high on using sign language, but they will provide support for CI and children with hearing loss.
IMHO - I oppose using CI in children until they are at the age where they can make the decisions themselves (16+). However, since you've caught it early - grab the opportunity to work with using Signs with both kiddos - they will surprise you quickly once they are able to make the connections to the signs and words. However, I do not oppose using hearing aids (I've worn hearing aids since I was 3).
Most importantly, you guys caught it EARLY! Way to go on that, but do what you can do and have faith. The kiddos will surprise you.. Lots of hugs and tons of encouragement and positive thoughts coming your way!
I am sorry to hear about the results of the appointment, but I am glad they caught it so young! I hope the procedures go really well and help the kids out. Thinking about you all!!
sahm ~ toddler breastfeeder ~ cloth diaperer ~ baby wearer
This exactly! Lotsa love and prayers for all of you.
I second this--although it's the Clerc Center, not cleric, named after Laurent Clerc who basically created ASL with Thomas Gallaudet. they do wonderful things there.
I'm glad you caught things early and hopefully the surgery they're doing will help him out--if not, you two are amazing moms and I have every belief that you will do what is best for him, and he can only thrive with you guiding him. I used to be anti-CI (cochlear implant) but my feelings on the issue have changed greatly over the last 10 years--and so has the technology and the process. if it does come to that, you do what YOU feel is best for your son.
Wow, that's a lot to take in!
But kudos to you guys for getting your kiddos checked out early, when you thought there was a problem. You've caught it so early, and hopefully that will mean no long-term delays or problems. Good luck and definitely let us know how everything turns out.
Hugs to both of you, C & S!
Maybe I don't have a heightened sense of smell, but I've never smelled any vagina on my pants. -- TSD
Bloggity Blog - You know you want to...
First of all, I'm sorry for your surprising news. I won't go on making the same points everyone else has except to say that you still have two happy, healthy babies, and that people with hearing losses can still go on to lead what we all think of as a "normal" life.
You are already doing what you can to get him physically healthy. As a sign language interpreter for the past 15 years, I have seen what happens emotionally to people whose parents don't make an effort to communicate with them in a way they can clearly understand--suffice it to say, it ain't pretty.
Whether you choose hearing aids, cochlear implants, or a combination, providing some type of visual communication like sign language or cued speech is a great way to boost *both of your kids' language skills. Contrary to what some doctors or teachers will tell you, this does not interfere with speech development.
As I've mentioned before, my partner is deaf. Her hearing loss is so profound, it cannot be measured--literally, "off the charts." She went to our state school for the deaf from the time she was age 4 through graduation. She is now a senior at our local university, majoring in Anthropology with an emphasis in Osteology (bones), and looking forward to grad. school after she finishes her B.A. I would say that's not only "normal," it's extraordinary.
Nothing has to change for Little Man except maybe how you approach communicating with him. And luckily, as others have pointed out, you found out much earlier than do many parents.
T&P and looking forward to updates on your journey.
--amy