The Hearing Test

Yesterday was attempt number 6 at a "good" (i.e. no fluid in her ears) hearing test for Baby Sister. Thankfully, it was mostly a success.

She was slated to have an un-sedated BAER (brainstem auditory evoked response) test, and an EOAE (evoked otoacoustic emission) test. The funny thing about these tests is that she is expected to sleep through them, naturally, with probes attached to her head, and things stuck in her ears. You can guess how well it went.

After an hour and a half of trying to get her to sleep, it finally happened - just as I was ready to give up.

As far as results go...the Audiologist was confident in the results, there was no fluid, her ears were clear, and they look about the same as last time. Her left ear is good, her right ear isn't. We saw a slight improvement in the right ear, but she is still going to be classified with a moderate-severe loss in that ear.

The loss is permanent. Her hearing in that ear isn't going to come back. But, it is likely not going to get any worse. She will continue to have hearing tests every few months for the first couple of years, just to make sure that it isn't getting worse, and that her good ear is still good.

In most cases like hers the loss is there from the very beginning and the kids who have it cope remarkably well. She qualifies for early intervention services, and they will be able to help her as she learns to speak so that we don't see delays there.

Overall, I still feel like I did after our last test. I am surprisingly calm about the whole thing, and I know that she will be fine.

I am truly grateful that we have access to such a great children's hospital. Being able to catch it early, and having so many great resources available to help her learn to compensate for the loss will be a real advantage to her.

And in other Baby Sister news...Her new tooth from the other day won't be alone for long. She is showing signs of at least two, possibly three more that are on their way in. Stay tuned for their appearance.