My 6Months's Hearing.........

I just saw your post. It looks like you have an appt today at 4..not sure if it is with your pediatrician or an ENT but if your pediatrician wants to further send your daughter to an ENT I would recommend Dr. Jon Thomas at Ear Nose and Throat Specialty Care of MN located in St.Paul on Smith Street. When my son needed tubes last year I called around the twin cities and many of the places couldn't get me an appointment for 2 weeks (in Woodbury) but this office had openings almost immediately. Dr. Thomas is really good with young kids and they also do hearing testing there too. I think the phone number for appts is ###-###-#### and their website is http://www.entsc.com/appointmentinfo.cfm

They have locations all around the twin cities but I got in quickly in downtown St. Paul.

L.,
My son also wasn't turning his head at loud noises and didn't always respond when someone talked to him around 7 months. He had had a couple ear infections. I told the doctor I was concerned that he couldn't hear and that my step dad who is a professor of child psychology was also concerned. After pressing a bit we had his hearing tested and went to a Pediatric ENT.

It turned out his ears were so full of fluid he could barely hear. Once we had tubes put in, the fluid drained and his hearing was restored to normal.

Remember you are the 'client' and the doctor works for you so don't be scared to ask for what you feel is necessary for your child.

Dont panic. You can make yourself sick worrying and it could be nothing. Everyone tried to tell me that my first born should be babbling by then. He would go weeks without making a peep other than crying. He is now the gabbiest kid ever and hears things that are far off in the distance like trains. I think it is good to get her hearing tested though to be sure. Good luck!

You can call 612-348-TOTS and they can help you also. The may be able to screen your baby sooner.

One thing you could try just to see if you get a response is put her on your lap or lay her down and snap your fingers near her ear. With my first, I had a very short period of time where I was wondering if he could hear and I got responses that way. See if she looks or turns her head that way. I agree with the other poster, try to see about pulling up her hearing test and go see your regular pediatrician.

Hi! I (being a medical assistant) would advise you to see your regular pediatrician while you're waiting for a hearing test...if something is wrong, you don't want to wait to find out. They might be able to do or suggest something that you can do in the mean time! I would also try waking her up from a nap by making some noises in the corner of the room...soft to loud and then get closer...if she doesn't wake at all you have an answer...if she wakes at a certain point you know she can or can't hear at other levels. Because of her age, it wouldn't be a good idea for you to test her yourself while she is awake...he muscles are still moving beyond her control so a head turn might not be what you think! Also, you'll want to know if she's hearing you or if it's from the vibrations she can feel! No matter what, stay invloved with your chil'd doctor...there are new advances every day that might be more helpful than you think! :) GOOD LUCK!

I know it's hard being a first time parent, but first of all I would try something to help relax. Your baby might be able to sense your tension. Then I would try another care provider to get a hearing test sooner than a couple of months from now. Call around. That's a long time for you to wait and if nothing else it will ease your anxiety to have it done sooner. Good luck!

Each child developes at there on time. As long as she is still responding to you when you are interacting, I think you will be fine. Getting she hearing tested is a great start but I would tae a breathe because the more you get worked up so will your beautiful daughter and we don't want that. Is she responding to you when you talk to her quietly. . I think that how you are reacting is competly nornal . No mom want their baby to have something wrong, but I would take a breathe and wait for your apt to come and try to relax and enjoy her.
K.

Hi L.,
I know how horrible the worrying is while you're waiting for answers! I agree with the poster who suggested making an appt. with your prediatrician. You can usually get in right away, and they can do a preliminary test there. Sometimes babies just have extra fluid in their ears, and even if they're not "infections," can interfere with hearing. Or your baby might just be too focused on things to be bothered with noisy distractions. Your doc will be able to tell. And if they also suggest further testing, you'll get in a lot sooner with a doc's orders than you would making the appt. from a self-referral. Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!!

I'm sorry you are having a stressful time with your sweetie. As the Mother of 4 I have learned through my own experience to not get worried too much about things that might not be happening. I know it's hard but the stress is terrible on your body. My 3rd child is special needs and they used to do all these terrible sounding tests on her because they were trying to figure her out. 99.9% of them have come up negative and I think I ended up in worse shape than her most of the time :o)
Best Wishes,
J.
Mom to 4, ages 5, 4, 3, and 1 and working on the next adoption of a 6 year old.