Audy's Ears

Last Monday, we found out a few things about our baby boy's ears.  Two doctors appointments, and sleep deprivation were not fun, but we all feel better about how things came out.

The ENT found some fluid in his left ear.  Maybe it was from the cold we all had last week, maybe it's from teething (his first tooth came through yesterday!), or maybe it was an issue unresolved from before.  It needs to be solved, so doctor gave him some amoxicillian and we'll clear it up soon hopefully. Um, amoxicillian is GROSS and it's been a fight to get it down every day, twice a day.  If we ever have to do it again, I will request something that tastes better!

Two and half hours (after the first appointment) of torture later (who knew keeping a kid awake would be so torturous!) we were are the Speech and Hearing Center again.  It took a little work, but he slept on his little mattress (not my arms this time) for a solid hour and a half - just enough time for the audiologist to complete the test.  Because we already knew he had some fluid in his ear, she did a little bit different of a test to bypass the middle ear (so the fluid may have been a blessing). It was dark so he'd sleep, so we didn't get any pictures. 

The audiologist said he still has some hearing loss, but that is is only the high frequencies.  Last time she said it was all frequencies in one range.  She said it is in both ears, but stronger in the left ear.  She's going to write her report and we'll meet with the ENT in two weeks to review the report and decide what else we need to do - which could be MRI, CAT Scan, etc. to see what the nerve damage is - since there is evidence of damage.  We'll also be recommended for Early Start, which is really a monitoring system for special ed through the school district (ours is GREAT), and so someone will come to the house to make sure he's not delayed with speech and development.  We'll continue to do hearing tests, probably every 3 months, but we won't have to do these extensive ones again.   When and if they discover that there isn't further worsening of the hearing, we won't have to do them at all. 

While the audiologist said she'd recommend amplification (hearing aides), Jason and I think the ENT is on the other side of the spectrum - he is much more laid back and said he's seen this before.  We feel very confident with him.  In any case, we would probably wait for hearing aides until he's in school - it's doubtful that he'll need them until then.

We feel really good about all of it - a few answers, and a direction to head, and good doctor to take care of our boy.  We were relieved that Audric slept so well and was such a good sport and that we NEVER have to do this test again! It was too hard and stressful. 

But, baby is a happy - he may be laughing at me for not folding all the laundry he's laying on, but who cares!  We love that laugh!