31 for 21 Challenge: Day Two. Audiology

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 :)

The hearing hurdle

So....Josiah failed his newborn hearing screening (in both ears).  They scheduled a follow-up test for today.

We left early this a.m. for Josiah's "Auditory Brainstem Response Exam."  Luckily, we were able to go to a local audiology clinic & save the trip to Boston.  The directions for the test were funny:

Don't let your child get a good night sleep.
Wake your child early in the a.m.
Don't feed your child within two hours of the test.
Don't allow your child to fall asleep in the car on the way to the test.
"We want your child to arrive awake, hungry, and tired."

(all the things a parent of a newborn hopes to be told LOL).

Well, we followed the instructions & arrived right on time.  They prepared him for the test.  I was allowed to feed him & he promptly fell asleep.  We were told to come back in 90 minutes, which we did :)

When we arrived back, we noticed the audiologist pacing the hallway with Josiah.  I thought, "Oh boy, this didn't go well."  Much to my delight....Josiah had been a perfect angel.  He slept throughout the duration of the test (a requirement of the test).  They were able to complete the comprehensive hearing test.  I nursed him while they explained the results.

Bottom line:  Josiah passed with flying colors.

When tested at the quietest level (20db), it took a couple of milliseconds longer for the sound to reach it's destination.  At 25db, the brainstem response was "discernible" (reached it's destination at a normal rate).  The slower response to the 20db could be explained by the fact that Josiah's ear canals, etc are TINY (very common with DS kids).  He has no fluid in his ears (just a little congestion in one ear).  He has no infections.  His hearing is not a concern.  This is GREAT news :)

Although he will be more at-risk for ear infections (another common trait in DS), his hearing is fine.

It's a great day.