An ENT Update

Chase had a visit with an ENT yesterday. Long story short, his Speech Therapist suggested we take Chase in for a tympanometry test to check to see if he has fluid in his middle ear. Apparently this kind of fluid can make a child feel like they're underwater and makes it difficult for them to repeat consonant sounds like B, P, M, etc. Since he hasn't been making much progress with ST, it made sense to have him tested for this. We attempted to have his primary pediatrician's office perform the test, but, honestly, they just suck. We're going to be looking for a new pediatrician this summer because we've HAD IT with the crappy care we've experienced at our current office (remember the "wait 'til he has a 105 rectal temp before going to the ER" advice their nurse gave us?). Anyway. They couldn't perform the test well so they referred us to an ENT.

Yesterday we met with an audiologist who performed Chase's typanogram. She was super-sweet and did an awesome job. The test did show Chase has some fluid in his right ear. I wasn't surprised. I occasionally see him grab or pull at his right ear, but not often enough or accompanied by other symptoms to make me think he had an ear infection. After the typanometry test, Chase and I sat in a sound-proof booth while the audiologist played sounds to our left and right. Chase responded (in my opinion) VERY well to the sounds! The audiologist mentioned he did a great job, but that even kids who are deaf in one ear would respond the same way. She noted she had NO WORRIES that he was having any substantial hearing difficulties in either ear, and I haven't thought so, either, so it was good to confirm this.

We then met with the doctor who took a look in both of his ears and confirmed some fluid in his right middle ear. He confirmed there were no signs of infection and sent us home with a prescription for Pediapred (Prednisolone) to help get rid of the fluid, and said to come back in 2 weeks to recheck him. I'm very hopeful that the fluid can be eliminated with a simple prescription! I was already fearing having to head to Charleston to have tubes put in. Hopefully it won't come to that!