My daughters ear problems

[freakygirl]

My 6 year old daughter has always fought ear infections. I think she was born with one..

In the last few years I haven't rushed her to the dr because I've never been big on antibiotics. She always seemed to get over them with some time and patience.

This last month or so I thought Kimber was ignoring me (being a typical 6 year old ). If I said anything to her she would say "huh?". I had noticed if she had her back to me it was like talking to a wall. I had done everything I could think of (i cleaned her ears thinking maybe she had a wax build up in them).

Last night I was standing at the kitchen sink.. she was sitting 3 feet away and I said something about her. She said "huh?" I repeated myself and she said "Mom, can you talk louder. I can't hear you". I repeated myself again, this time standing directly in front of her. She heard me.

This morning I kept her home from school and called her dr. He got her in early this afternoon. He checked her temp (97.5-normal)
Checked her eyes (normal). Checked her throat (normal). Checked her nose (clear). Checked her ears (no redness) only scar tissue on her right eardrum and a puss build up behind her left ear.

He put her on some antibiotics, some decongestant (hopefully it will help clear the fluid behind her ears) and she has to blow up a balloon every 30 minutes.

It's possible that she has some permanant hearing problems in her right ear. Dr says the scar tissue won't go away, but if the rest is cleared up it's possible for her hearing to return to near normal. I was feeling bad because I had neglected to care for my daughters infections in the past with antibiotics. The dr informed me that I handled it correctly. Even if I would have put her on antibiotics every time she had a minor ear infection, this probably would have happened. Antibiotics are not the answer to all infections. If a child is prone to problems like this.. antibiotics aren't the answer. I felt alot better after this conversation.

Thank god I've taught her sign language. Its helped alot. Today we were in the grocery store and it was hard for her to hear me. Instead of standing right in her face and raising my voice a little . I was able to just sign what I wanted to say, and she understood.

She goes back in two weeks to her reg dr for a hearing test, then she goes to the Ear Nose Throat specialist after that.

So.. Parents of Lit.. if your child is ignoring you. Don't think it's a phase.. it could be a warning sign of some serious problems. Hearing tests are simple and your insurance should cover them. I never ONCE thought my childs hearing wasn't normal. And I'm a trained nurse.

 

[AnnaB]

Actually I can sympathize with you here on this one. My son who is now nearly 17 had the same problem through early childhood. I went from doctor to doctor as they tried everything possible to rid him of these recurring ear infections (which started when he was a few weeks old). By the age of 3 he was almost completely deaf...I never thought of hearing tests and none of his doctors ever suggested it until one.

Once his infection was cleared up again he was scheduled for several tests with an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. After many battery of tests were done I was told of scarring on the eardrum and the fact that he would need to have tubes put in and his adenoids taken out since they were swollen and wouldn't shrink. The surgery was scheduled about six months after the tests started and once another ear infection was cleared up.

I count myself very lucky and very thankful that his hearing loss wasn't permanent. What they originally thought was scar tissue on his ear drums turned out to be fluid behind the ear drums that never drained and over time had solidified into a rock like substance.

I didn't realize how bad it was until after returning home...my son who always stood out on our balcony and watched the trains go by actually went over and slammed the door shut telling me it hurt his ears...talk about making you wonder if you had done something wrong to your child I did. As I said that was nearly 14 years ago and during that time I did seek help from another doctor in trying to deal with the guilt of being a "bad mother". He was a very kind older gentleman who made me see that sometimes the simplest things are often overlooked when you are looking at the big picture and not the smaller ones.

I agree completely with you as well...don't think it's just a phase especially if they are young...get them to a doctor and make them listen to you.

 

[freakygirl]

I'm glad all turned out right for your son.

I hope we have caught my daughters problems early enough. If not, she has the tv in the tv room all set up for Closed Caption. Good thing she can read God forbid if she missed her tv shows.

 

[seXieleXie]

wouldn't she be a good candidate for a hearing aid?

 

[AnnaB]

Don't I know that one...kids seem to be a bear when they miss their favorite shows...but then his TV time is limited and always has been so that could be why!

 

[freakygirl]

Lexie, Dr didn't even cross that bridge yet. I don't think he wanted me to worry to much. I would think she would be if it comes to that. He said we caught it earlier than alot of people. Because there are no real symptoms of the problem (other than the not being able to hear) and a lot children this age spend a lot of time saying "huh" and choosing not to hear what the parents have to say.. that most times we don't notice it until it's to late. We think they are being bratty (which I did think, until she flat out told me she couldn't hear me). He is hoping the decongestant, the antibiotics and the balloon blowing up will clear this up. It's something she will have to watch until her ears fully develop. He talked about tubes in her ears.. and having her anoids removed if the ENT specialist thinks it's necessary.

I hope it doesn't come to a hearing aid.. but yes, If it would help I'd do it in a hearbeat.


AnnaB-My daughters tv time is limited also. But because she doesn't feel good today, i'm letting her lounge in front of the tv. She can't play outside because of it being chilly.. and she hates hats

 

[solid_]

Sound's very much like glue ear to me build up of fluid between inner ear and ear drum. My son has had this but it was late when it was spotted he's 7 years old now he had a operation when he was 4 to have Gromet's fitted (there like little tubes that fit in inner ear to drain the fluid.) They fall out by them self after 7 to 9 month's. He's had to have this operation done two time's now coz it was so long before it was discovered he's speach as been effected he need's alot of speach therapy to improve it now he's getting better but it's going to take time.

Been very upsetting that they took a long time before they found out what the problem was cant help wondering that if they had discovered it sooner he's speach whould have been effected less.

 

[freakygirl]

My daughter hasn't developed any speech problems. But she does talk rather loud and she has a little trouble with school (lately anyway). I have to go tomorrow and talk to her teacher.

Only one week left of school.. Hopefully this will all be cleared up before next year. So she doesn't have any problems.

 

[DevilBoy79]

my step nephew was pretty much the same way, maybe she needs tubes in her ears,to help them drain , worked for him