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fricksgirl
member
Speech issues related to fluid in ears? Solved by tubes?
fricksgirl
member
My Simon is 19 months old and talks very little. He has words and he can talk, it's just that he chooses not to (he's much more like my DH than myself, loner-ish. lol)
We have noticed over the past 2 weeks or so he's trying to talk a LOT more, but when he parrots you he said exactly the inflection you use and exactly the syllables you use, just not exactly the right sounds.
So he's on his 4th ear infection since December, and I mentioned to the doc that he doesn't talk, doc said it could be a case of perpetual fluid, that he's hearing like he's underwater. Which would explain a lot because that's exactly how he imitates us, like he is hearing it all muffled.
I don't know if you can even test the hearing of a kid that doesn't talk? Does anyone have any experience with this at all?
Kaiser referred us to an ENT so we are making that appointment today. I know that's the place to start but just wondering if any of you have any insight. TIA!
The Boy Wonder 8/23/06 & The Famous Baby 6/1/10
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Re: Speech issues related to fluid in ears? Solved by tubes?
We've had Baz's hearing tested - they put him in a room (on your lap) and monitor his reaction to auditory triggers in various areas of the room. It was so painless and the results were immediate.
We were testing for a processing disorder rather than fluid in the ear, but I'm certain that test is universal regardless of the cause.
Good luck!
The short answer is that yes, fluid in the ears can cause kids to be delayed with speech and language. That he doesn't imitate the sounds you use could be related, or it could be normal development - it depends a lot on the specific sounds he uses vs. those that he doesn't use. EmmieB is right, it is possible to test for hearing with kids as young as Simon and even younger. The ENT will probably want you to see an Audiologist as well. If they don't mention it, I'd definitely ask about getting a referral. I would do all of this sooner rather than later to ensure that he starts getting all the input he needs to develop normal speech & language as soon as possible.
As an SLP in training I can go on about this subject for days so if you have questions or would like any more info just let me know!
DS had delayed speech and had the same testing as EmmieB's boy when he was 17 months at an audiologist. He was non-verbal then and the test worked perfectly. They also examined his ears to check for fluid and to test the shape or depth or something of his ear canal and all was normal.
His delayed speech was nothing like Simon's though. He would grunt and point but had no words. He didn't mumble or slur or stutter or anything.
When DS had a massive (according to the pedi) double ear infection last month, his speech took an almost immediate nose dive. Mumbling all over the place. Totally unclear, muddles speech. He was a mess! THankfully as soon as it cleared up (which took almost three weeks!), his speech returned to it's normal level of very clear articulation.
Good luck!
Thanks for these answers, helpful.
We're going to see the ENT next Tuesday so I'm sure they will tell me more. Interesting to say the least. I feel bad for him, but I guess we are doing all we can to helo him now and that's what counts.
Yep, that's the important thing. It can be really hard to know if there's an issue before they start talking (or not) so try not to feel bad. He's still so young that I'm sure he'll be able to bounce back if there does turn out to be something going on.
I just wanted to ditto this. I have a close friend who went through this with one of her twins. He basically talked like he was underwater. The tests showed he had a lot of fluid in his ears, had tubes put in and also started speech therapy. As time went on the fluid got a little better but the combo of that with speech helped him significantly.
Yep, he follows even 2 and 3 step commands, is startled by noises, turns his head at his name, etc. I think it might just be murky. Plus there's the whole second child factor... they really just don't talk as much, I think. Alex talks for Si a LOT. "Simon told me he wants..." "He doesn't want that he wants..." etc etc. Maybe they have brotherly telepathy.
I'll keep you guys posted after our appointment Tues!
We had testing at Kaiser also. I went in a room with JLK and they had her look ahead and watch to see if she turned her head with different noises.
She did not get tubes but I have a few friends whose kids speech took off after getting tubes
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Interestingly, in the long run, tubes have not been shown to improve the outcome of language acquisition, at say age 4, but ENT doctors do believe it helps, in their experience. It's a big controversy in medicine because although it is generally a benign procedure it can lead to chronic ear drainage. Also you have to take some precautions with the tubes in your ears, right now it is pretty loosened up, mostly no dunking head in the bathtub and no diving.
Another issue to consider is quality of life. If he is miserable when he gets these infections and he keeps getting them, four in six months or six in a year, then they also consider it so he will just feel better, sleep better, in general.
A hearing test is always the first step to any speech evaluation. That will definitely tell you if there is fluid in the middle ear, and if he is hearing well enough to acquire speech. I do have to say also that there is great variability in language development, especially with boys. Many really start closer to two or even a bit beyond. If he seems to understand you when you tell him to do things, or talk to him that is a very positive sign, we call that receptive language, as opposed to expressive language.
Good luck!!!