Audiologist/ tonsils?
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
Forum Description: For mums, dads, parents-to-be, grandparents, friends -- you name it! And you name the topic you want to chat about!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36747
Printed Date: 26 August 2025 at 10:19am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Audiologist/ tonsils?
Posted By: tictacjunkie
Subject: Audiologist/ tonsils?
Date Posted: 19 November 2010 at 12:04pm
| Hi, my 4yo has been losing her hearing since July, she's never had ear infections that we know of, going to GP was fruitless as he insisted she just had a cold (she didn't), finally got referred via B4 School check in Sept, now have an audiologist appt on Mon. I suspect it may be an adenoid/tonsil issue as she's always snored & breathes through her mouth? Has anyone else experienced this? What should I expect at the appointment? & we have private health insurance- will that help? |
Replies:
Posted By: happymumma
Date Posted: 19 November 2010 at 12:41pm
|
I don't have any experience with the gradual hearing loss side of things (My DD had a mild - moderate hearing loss pretty much since birth) but we do have some experience with the audiology side of thing. At a first appt I would think they will ask you some questions about what you have noticed / medical history etc and then they will probably test her hearing and have a look in her ears. In terms of the adenoid / tonsil issue I think they would be more likely to refer for an ENT review for that side of things since that is more their area of expertise. In my experience childrens hearing issues are dealt with pretty quickly because of the effect on speech and language development - once we were in the system things moved very quickly. Having said that, DD's issues have been straight forward so far. I wouldn't think that you will need private insurance at this stage though. My advice at that first appt would be to (once any hearing loss is confirmed and they can talk about the degree of loss) ask about the kinds of things that will be effected by the degree of hearing loss she currently has so that you know. I think that the audiologist we saw assumed that I would know this stuff (I work in a related area) but I didn't. They are generally great at the diagnosis side but not always great at telling you what it actually means for hearing! |
Posted By: Bexee
Date Posted: 19 November 2010 at 12:49pm
| Can''t hel too much but DS 15 months went to an audiologist for a test after a referral to a specialist for grommets. From my exerience private insurance is a bonus if you've got it. We have it and it was just a week's wait to see a specialist then another week to have grommets done which is super fast. |
Posted By: tictacjunkie
Date Posted: 19 November 2010 at 10:12pm
| Ooh really helpful advice thank you! I'll work out what to ask, I hadn't actually thought of asking what actually's being affected though I often wonder, as she hears some things, but not others. As for the health insurance my understanding is if a specialist treatment is needed then rather than having to wait in the public system you can get it done privately much quicker. So good to know they do try to treat kids quickly too, very reassuring! =) |
Posted By: kiwi2
Date Posted: 19 November 2010 at 10:12pm
|
ok I can help you. My dd didn't speak much, threw huge tantrums and we were getting her assessed for autism. although that didn't fit completely either. A last ditched effort to a ENT was our saviour. Her tonsils were huge all the time along with adenoids. This alone gave her sleep apnea and everyone knows how horrible a tired 2 year old can be so having a tired 2 year old 24/7 for two and a half years was hard. She also had fluid behind her ears. So at 2 and a half she went in for grommets, tonsils and adenoids out. Her behaviour changed overnight within 4 months she was talking like other kids although a bit delayed. She also grew almost overnight. It is amazing how the restful sleep helped her. It saved our marriage and our family as we were so strung out. And it was such a simple fix. We quite often look at her and think what happens to kids that get missed.
So at your audiologist appt ask to be referred to an ENT if they can otherwise go back to your GP and insist on a referral. Say you have insurance and it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Be strong and be your childs advocate. I find we accept stuff too easy in NZ. If your GP doesn't help you then find one that will. The snoring and mouthbreathing should be enough. Our ENT showed us a study of kids that had had the operation and those that didn't who had issues. Once they hit adulthood the children who did have the operation were 4 inches taller on average. Also mouth breathers have more issues with tooth decay as well. Good luck and let us know how you get on. |
Posted By: kiwi2
Date Posted: 19 November 2010 at 10:13pm
| If you hadn't guessed from my above post it was the best thing we ever did. I also have a friend who has just gone thru this and she is also amazed at the difference in her child. |
Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 19 November 2010 at 10:33pm
|
A family member had enlarged tonsil which affected speech and hearing and it wasn't until they were removed that he could speak and magically his hearing improved! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: tictacjunkie
Date Posted: 20 November 2010 at 10:00am
| The wakefulness & overtiredness definitely fit with what she's been experiencing- we've been lucky I guess she didn't have this issue as a toddler, though I've noticed her speech development has halted. I will definitely be more pushy now insisting on referrals etc (now that I'm not an over-emotional preg lady it should be easier!). It was alarming at the B4 School check- they put the thingee in her ear & it was a completely flat line. I will update on how it goes. Thank you, =). |
Posted By: tictacjunkie
Date Posted: 23 November 2010 at 5:33pm
| Ok so we had the audiologist yesterday afternoon, I was really impressed- the tests were all so kid-friendly, dd had a lot of fun! Audiologist was good, did skim things a bit so I asked plenty of questions. Results were her eardrums are working, but there is a blockage in her middle ear- whether tonsils or glue ear they couldn't tell. We go back for a retest in 6-8wks & if it's still no good then she'll be referred to ENT- Dr said there has been some improvement since B4 School check... |
Posted By: tictacjunkie
Date Posted: 23 November 2010 at 5:49pm
| ... (Sorry posting from ph) there's a chance it's resolving itself, so they prefer to "wait & see" for just a little bit. Which made sense at the time, but thinking about it after I'll be taking her to GP & insisting on a referral then & there if I feel it's not getting better. Thank you again for all your help, advice & experiences, it certainly meant I was a lot less anxious & more prepared than I would have been, which of course made dd's experience far better too, =). |
Posted By: tictacjunkie
Date Posted: 23 November 2010 at 5:57pm
| Oh & I asked what dd can actually hear, & Dr said she'll be able to hear most things but it'll be muffled, she can't hear anything quiet, & she can't focus on single noises- e.g, when I call to her across the playground she can't single out my voice amongst all the other noise. Most important thing is to make sure I have eye contact with her before I bother saying anything to her- which we sort of realised already (& I find you have to do with most children anyway!). |