The other morning Henry came downstairs with a giant ink smudge under his nose. Michael asked him what happened with his nose, but Henry didn't hear him. Instead he said, "Who wants to smell some good smells?" and proceeded to demonstrate all the scents of his scented felt pens. So there's nothing wrong with his sense of smell, but unfortunately his hearing is currently impaired. We'd noticed this for some time, but he tends to get a little fluid in his ears when he has a cold, and it can impair his hearing for a couple of weeks, so that's what I thought it was. Plus, he's four-- sometimes he's not listening to me on purpose. But I had noticed not only that he sometimes seemed not to hear me, and was often loud, but also that he was starting to lose the habit of conversation; he'd just talk and talk without waiting for an answer, or sing or talk loudly so that no one else could talk. I got concerned that this had gone on too long, so I called the doctor. He had his ears tested today in two ways: first the doc tested the pressure inside his ear, to see if the tympanum was vibrating properly. It wasn't; it barely moved at all. This means that there is pressure against it which is keeping it from transmitting sound. Second, they gave him a hearing test with earphones and beeps, and as the doc said, "He hardly heard anything." The doc's opinion is that his eustacean tubes have gotten sealed up and are creating a vaccuum so that the tympanum can't vibrate. We got a referral to an ENT specialist and will call them tomorrow for further diagnosis.
Poor kid! He's only had two ear infections in his life, but the doc said that wasn't related. Anyway, we will keep the blog updated. Otherwise, we are all doing well.
Playing hat guy. Our neighbor Emerson keeps a whole Playmobil world set up under another neighbor's hedge, and Agatha has happily discovered it, raided it, and messed it up. Luckily Emerson is very kind and understanding.
Nerf gun battle. Agatha loves the neighbor boys as much as Henry now ("Hi Emmy! Hi Carter!") and likes to get in the middle of their games as much as possible.
Play ball! We took the kids to an exhibition game between the Lancaster Barnstormers and F&M. Agatha watched for awhile and then said, "All done! Playground!" Luckily there is an excellent one right next to left field.
8 comments:
I'm so happy to get an update on Henry's hearing and on the kid's other activities! What wonderful children you have and what wonderful neighborhood children too.
It's a great life here in Lancaster!!
He proably has a long-term middle ear infection (without pain) which I know can happen. If they suggest tubes, don't freak out. It allows the middle ear ventilation so the vacumm cannot occur again, it allows any drainage to seep out the tubes into the ear exterior canals, and it may encourage the Ech. tubes to begin opening and closing properly when there is no reason to stay shut. Tubes are a very minor surgery, Ian had them in for two years--when you need them, they often stay in place--his did. Ian had his in from age 4-6--nearly the same story as yours, second verse. Aren't genetics, cousins, bodies--weird!!! Auntie Grace
Grace, thank you for the advice, especially the part about not freaking out! Very interesting that Ian had tubes at the same age; for some reason I had connected them with younger children. I wouldn't be at all surprised if that's what the doc suggests for Henry. Oh well, we shall see!
Aren't blogs good for all sorts of things. Yes, Ian's tubes were far later than lots of children, but we noticed it when he sat very close to the stereo speakers, (remember when they were as big as an end table)to listen to his childhood songs. Really, you have to sit that close!!Yikes. And so the inquiry began. Good luck, but you are on the way to good hearing. Auntie Grace
The plugging of the ear canals is a chronic problem for me: I'm 43, and I had my latest set of tubes put in last year. It makes a world of difference -- if Henery has the same condition, he'll be amazed when he can hear fully. In fact, it's a little disorienting at first.
For my procedures, they use no anesthesia: they slice and insert, though I have to hold my head very still. And this after a vacuum is used to suck out any accumulated fluid. (Sorry for the grotesque imagery.)
The whole procedure is a trifle unnerving. In Henry's case they might well use anesthesia, but this might require a shot to each eardrum. Your ENT will tell you what to expect, I'm sure, but it's never too early to mentally prepare yourself as to how to best comfort Henry.
Good luck, but at least you'll have some answers soon.
Wow, Dan, I didn't know that about you and your ears!
I had tubes when I was a toddler, and I know numerous children who have had them- it's a relatively easy procedure with a very quick recovery. For the little ones they put them under general anesthesia, but it is an outpatient procedure. When we went to have Zephyr's MRI done, almost all of the other children on the unit were there getting tubes in.
It's great you noticed and took him in- long term, chronic untreated ear infections and pressure issues can cause long-term hearing and speech issues. Since you figured it out, he'll be back to hearing in no time!
Plus, based on what I hear of Henry, he seems like a child who will be fascinated by all of the procedures and medical aspect of how it all works! A great little homeschooling lesson, I suppose. :)
Thanks, Jenny, and everyone, for these great comments! Our ENT appointment is next Wednesday, so more soon...
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