Today we saw Dr. B, the Ear, Nose & Throat doctor. The appointment began with a hearing test. Spencer and I were placed in a soundproof room with speakers on each side and some other mysterious looking stuff throughout the room. The audiologist told me to hold Spencer in my lap, but not to react in any way to the sights and sounds that I would hear. The first sounds were to the right and it sounded like paper shuffling around. Spencer didn't turn toward the speaker. The sound repeated, but this time a small puppet of Winnie the Pooh also lit up and moved. Spencer turned toward the right. We repeated this with the left side and various volumes.
Next was tones, repeat the same pattern and repeat with Spencer looking at some, but not all of the speakers. We ended with his name being called over the speaker at various volumes, with and without Winnie the Pooh.
The last test was to see if there was fluid behind his eardrums. I didn't need a machine to tell them this, of course he has fluid! Their little machine said his left ear is full of fluid. His right ear was clear, but there was negative pressure pushing on his eardrum, not normal.
The summary of the audiologist was that he has some hearing loss. She wasn't going to continue with any additional tests until the fluid was gone, because the results would not be accurate.
After a short wait in the lobby, we got to see Dr. B. He reviewed the audiologist tests and then did a full exam on Spencer. He asked about his medical history and we went over the past 10 months of infections, antibiotics and frustrations. He asked what words Spencer could say. We thought and the list was short, too short for someone his age.
Dr. B got out the color picture flip charts and explained what a normal ear looked like. The next picture was what happens to ears when there is fluid build up (Spencer's ears). Without hesitation he says that Spencer is a prime candidate for tubes, just based on what the audiologist found and not even considering the ear infections. His hearing loss, lack of speech and the infections are all of concern.
He reviewed the procedure, risks and follow up care with us. He said the nurse would come in and book the surgery. SOOOOO surgery is this Friday! We have to be at the surgery center at 6am and with no breakfast. Spencer is not going to be happy about that!
We will head back to the audiologist in a month to test his hearing again and hopefully have some improvement.
We feel a sense of relief that maybe we can finally move on from Spencer's health issues. Some months it has dominated our lives and has definitely increased the amount of stress for everyone in the house. Whether it is because the lack of sleep or trying to rearrange schedules to accommodate the multiple doctors appointments, work, school and other obligations. We are all truly hoping that this will close the chapter in Spencer's health issues.
1 comment:
The end of the infections is near. We will be thinking and praying for you all week. I am glad they are going to deal with this so promptly. After all, it would just be more stress to wait.
As one who recently dealt with this, be prepared for how "out of sorts" he will be when you go to recovery to get him. He will not be in pain, just confused from the anesthesia. But it will pass and he will be himself just as soon as you get back home.
Post a Comment