Toddler with hearing loss

[Jayney]

Anyone else's baby have a low frequency hearing loss?

It has become apparent that Hannah my 16 month old has a hearing loss in the low frequencies 250-1000hz. She doesn't seem to respond until about 50 dB and I am looking for ideas and hope.

[trying4baby88]

Hi there.

When i was around 18 months old i got middle ear infections in both of my ears and i went deaf. I got the hearing back in my right ear when i was 4 and i had a hearing test again at 5 and i still hadn't regained hearing back in my left. I haven't had a hearing test since then as things started got bad with my family so that was the least of my mothers worry. But i can tell you now that i have most of the hearing back.

I haven't got any real advice only that she may regain some hearing as she gets older. What do the specialists have to say about it?

[Jayney]

We are waiting to see what they say. I should have an appt in November. I am trying to figure out as much as I can before I go so I can ask good questions. Thanks for the support.

[evanchris]

Both my daughters have a mild to moderate hearing loss. My daughters were born 11 years apart. I just found out my newborn has this hearing loss and I am devestated...but with hearing aids, lots of reading to her, talking etc...she will develop and cope (as my older daughter does). What is their full potential? I guess we will never know...and that is what devastates me the most. Having said that, my oldest daughter was diagnosed with this hearing loss at 4yo...we found out because her speech was still that of an 18 month old...I took her to many doctors and they all told me she was lazy and told me she would talk when she was ready. To give you hope for Hannah...my oldest daughter is now doing very well at school (she scores above the national average and has many friends) so whilst it is heart breaking (and my heart breaks for my newborn and I cry a lot over it) I do know that she will do very well with our support and with all the resources available. Thank God we live in Australia and the government is very good at providing all a child needs to get by.

[Jayney]

We are lucky to have checked her hearing as I didn't really think it was a problem. At this point we don't know anything. Nothing has been confirmed but I have been assuming that she isn't hearing at least part of what we say and have been more deliberate about language instruction. I taught my other girls baby signs and have done with Hannah as well. Good thing. We are still in the low end of normal for number of words and she now has 4 words and 23 signs. With 2 big sisters and a chatty mom she has the best hope.

I'm not sure what our medical system has for supports for hearing aids and such. Now I am waiting for an appointment and trying to be patient. I was told the wait would be 4-6 weeks so that isn't that bad. I should also have a speech path appointment in November. So I am working at getting things in place.

Do you have any tips?

Is your daughter's hearing loss at all ranges or high or low? Do both your girls have the same loss?