My son is 3 years old and has always had excellent speech and hearing. We have never been concerned about his hearing. This whole month he has basically been sick with a cold and cough. Recently he started saying "what" to everything and asks to raise the volume up on the TV, etc. we just know he cannot hear as well. Has anyone had experience with this? It's obviously just recent and I'm wondering if it will go away when his cold is gone? He's never had an ear infection and I'm also wondering if there could be fluid in his ear, but with no ear infection?
Thanks!
He could definitely have fluid in his ear and that would make a huge difference in the need for volume and repeats...I personally had fluid in my ear a couple months ago and it was not at all painful but I was almost completely deaf! It could be FLUID BEHIND DEBRIS/ WAX and the blockage won't budge. Definitely take him to the doc!
Take him to the doc. My DD did the same thing last month during a cold and while she did not have an infection she did have fluid in the ear. they should keep an eye on it so it doesn't do any long term damage.
Hi J.,
I have more than 75% hearing loss in one ear due to repeated ear infections. They were not always so painful that I mentioned it to my mother.
He certainly can have a bit of fluid in his ears that isn't draining. This can be cold related, allergy related (his tubes may be a bit swollen due to his recent illness and the fact that there are a lot of irritants in the air right now...) or simply from a bath/shower.
One thing I've learned thru personal experience, is that before a shower or swimming, don't put your fingers in your ears, or q-tips, or whatever. It seems to disrupt the blocking effect that occurs in your ears and keeps water out... like it pushes the hairs into the coating of ear wax that surrounds the entrance (even though you can't really see this wax, it's still there in a fine coating) and allows water to just pour in. Once it's in, it's hard to get out if your tubes are swollen. I have had to use 'swimmers ear' drops from time to time. But really your best bet is to bring him to the doc, and have them look in his ears to make sure there is no inflammation (ear infections aren't always painful). Ask if you can use swimmers ear, or even benedryl to help dry him up if they suspect fluid is in there.
Good luck... I hope all goes well :)
J.-
My daughter had the same thing sometime last year. She kept saying "what?" and/or ignoring us like we weren't even talking to her. Turns out she had a huge wax buildup in her ears. A trip to the doctor got most of it out (not the most comfortable experience for her). If your son has the same thing, likely you'll need a doctor to help get the big chunks out that are deep in the ear. After that, an ear solution may be prescribed.
Good luck.
Jen
My son also had the same sort of symptoms that you describe. He would turn up the TV really loud, and ask "what" a lot, and sometimes appear that he just didn't hear what we said at all. I took him to his pediatrician who saw a little fluid in his ear, but she referred us to an ENT. The ENT said that he had a lot of fluid in his ears, even though he did not have an ear infection. Also their auditiologist did a hearing test which showed that he was only hearing at about 60 perecent. That same week his preschool had done hearing and vision screenings (which really are not as thorough as the hearing test the audiologist did) and the screening said his hearing was fine. Boy am I glad that we went to the ENT!
He also said that his tonsils were enlarged and was surprised that no one ever noticed before. We had a CAT scan done and it turns out that his adenoids were also very large. The ENT said that they were blocking the fluid from draining properly and so he had both the adenoids and tonsils removed. Since then, his hearing has been perfect.
Definitely go to an ENT and not just a regular children's doctor because the ENT is much more familiar with these problems and will be better able to diagnose your child.
Good luck!
iwould take him to an ent i am sure there is fluid in his ears and could cause him to hear everything in a muffled way.ear infections dont always have to hurt so he may not even know he has one.
If you live in McHenry County contact the Special Education District for McHenry Country aka SEDOM. You can get a free hear check there at the school. We did that after our son had tubes in his ears at 1 1/2 year of age. It was no cost to use or our insurance, it is a county facility.
There phone number is ###-###-####
All turned out well but it was great to have this test available to me.
S.
This is what they just told me about my daughter. She had a hearing exam scheduled and when we got there they saw the fluid. I was told for her to go to an ENT for medical treatment. Further, it can eventually turn into a ear infection, but not right away.
