7.16.2008

Hearing update

Jace had another hearing test today. He failed two tests when he was first born. Then a few weeks later he passed in the right ear but still failed in the left ear. So today's test was much more specialized and administered by a doctor instead of a tech. He still didn't pass. They say that he hears at 40 decibels but normal is 20 decibels. So he can hear a normal talking voice but not sounds quieter than that. There is some indication that he may have fluid in his ear canal and that might be muffling the sound.

Soooooo..... we are off to see an ear, nose, and throat doctor to talk about getting tubes put in his ears. Cohen had 115,000 ear infections in his first two years and has tubes now so it totally makes sense that Jace would need them. I just didn't think he'd need them at 3 months old! His hearing will be retested after the tubes and if he still isn't hearing completely, he'll be fitted for hearing aides. Who knew a person who cant even sit up would need hearing aides!? They say that the first year of life is the most important as far as language development. So if Jace cant hear well, he wont learn to speak correctly and may develop a speech impairment. Apparently, it's best to catch hearing loss as early as possible so that the child can learn to talk and then maybe not need the hearing aide anymore.

It really is fine, as far as bad news goes. There are so many tragically worse things that could go wrong with a baby. This is treatable and minor in the grand scheme of things.

Jace is so sweet and smiley now that he's sleeping more. I bet he's thinking the same about me.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

That last sentence was so cute. I'm sure he will do great and it will all work out.

Jennie said...

Poor little guy! Good for you for taking such great care of him and getting his ears checked!

So glad to hear that he's sleeping better, for both of your sakes! Sleep can do wonders!

christy said...

We went through the whole daily ear infections and tubes in the ears with Anna...I am sure it will all work out in the end!!! So happy for YOU and Jace that he is sleeping better...that makes a HUGE difference!!!!

Tiffany Westover said...

Jill, your boys are so cute! Sorry to hear about Jace, I'm sure everything will work out.

Jamie said...

I'm sure it's fluid and after the tubes he'll be better. You realize things like this happen to only the super moms. This includes you. I'm glad he's sleeping better. I was sad I didn't get to meet him the other day. One of these days we'll see eachother.

The Lowes said...

My little Olivia never had fevers as a baby, we never knew she had fluid, or ear infections. Nothing out of the ordinary but now she is 4 1/2 and has been through a year of speech therapy so that we could understand her. It was soooo frustrating before so this is a good thing for Jace. Early Intervention is the key! I'm glad you are getting him all check up!

lisa said...

WOW! That is great that they know the problem and maybe can help fix it. And your right there are worse things. I am just glad they found it now.

Aubs said...

You have such a good attitude that I know no matter what the final outcome will be .. your family can handle it and be the better for it.
you are a rock star