hearing loss

[Guest guest]

Celeste,

had an audiogram done today and it was the same

as the one done six months ago (his ENT insists on

hearing tests every six months) but he has had some

that will deviate 15 or so db's. Most of the tiime he

comes down with a cold within a few days, is just coming

off a cold or his allergies are acting up. If you're worried

I'd schedule another one in a couple months, but I really

don't think CHARGErs are more prone to progressive lost

than any other kiddo with hearing loss.

Casey

charge@...

minnow@...

Mom to Dawn 20, Ken 9 ADHD, and 7 CHARGE.

Cobb California

ICQ UIN# 728514

AIM Buddy List: ZeeCasey

[Guest guest]

Celeste,

's audiograms also vary by 15-20 dbs...usually due to " gunk buildup " .

's ear canals are extremely stenosed (FINALLY got PE tubes in a year

ago...one fell out so we are back to the OR). also, the openings of his ears

are more " slitlike " than round. so with all that said, 's ears can't

naturally move the wax out, hence causing a varying loss.

i know there was some discussion of progressive loss, but i understood unless

something was happening (constant fluid, etc) that it really wasnt something

specific to charge.

in any event...i hope you find both the problem AND the solution!!

kris

mom to michael (6.5) CHaRGE and kolleen (9 weeks)

long branch, nj

[Guest guest]

re:

" Just was wondering if hearing loss in CHARGE is progressive. nne

had a hearing test last Tuesday and her hearing, in both ears, was 15-20

decibels poorer. "

Celeste,

My son , 12, had the same thing happen that you describe. His

hearing tests were stable for years until last winter when there was a

noticeable drop. He also had no ear infection or fluid and we repeated

the test several times (the audiologist has known him since birth so the

tests were certainly credible). We had a CATscan done to see if there

was anything " fixable " like an abcess or blockage but nothing like that

showed up.

Our ENT decided, after reviewing all his audiograms from birth, that

there was a pattern of a slight decrease and leveling off all along, but

that the last one was the most dramatic. still has quite a bit

of usable hearing in his right ear so we upgraded his hearing aid to a

digital model which will be more flexible should this happen again in

the future. It was expensive (insurance doesn't cover it) but worth it

since he is hearing better than ever with the new aid. He is responding

and trying to talk more and I think the new hearing aid is a big part of

the reason - so the drop in hearing was kindof a good thing? (I hate to

say that!) because I don't think we would have gone for the digital aid

if his hearing had stayed the same.

By coincidence, we have also recently found a perforation in 's

ear drum. Your message that nne's healed so nicely has really made

me feel good this morning!

Also, I was under the impression that progressive loss is common in

Chargers. In the original booklet for families (page 38 under " hearing

loss " ) it says " The loss is often progressive. " Has this opinion

changed?

If you get any more info on nne's loss please email me privately or

through the list - I'm very interested. Thanks and good luck.

Joanne ( 12) Wayne,NJ