When Josiah was born, he failed his newborn hearing screen. We were sent for a follow up a few weeks later. Although he passed, he already demonstrated 'borderline normal/mild hearing loss.' It was explained that this is common in children with Down syndrome. In part, their particularly small ear canals can play a role.
Josiah has had audiology follow-ups locally, as well as at Children's. At Children's, the results are always 'inconclusive.' Locally, they tell us Josiah can hear, but not as well as other children his age. Simply put, his inner eardrum could hear at 0.3 & 0.5 levels. Listening to speech, he could hear sounds as quiet as 25 db (normal is 20 db or less). Hence, he is always labeled 'borderline normal/mild hearing loss.'
Three weeks ago, Josiah got tubes in his ears.
Today, we went locally for a audiology follow-up. His inner eardrum could hear at levels 1.3 & 1.6. The tubes have more-than-doubled his capacity to hear. While listening to speech, he could hear sounds as quiet as 10 db. The results were NORMAL!!! His hearing falls within normal limits!!!
We go to bed tonight, very grateful....as always :)
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