Want to be prudent but not paranoid - your opinion?

[holly_72]

Hello, we're wondering about our son's ability to hear, and noises that he hears in his ears. At age two, he regressed into autism, but is mostly recovered. For awhile his receptive hearing was messed up... If we were reading a book and told him to "turn the page," he would get up and go push buttons on the VCR. He also loved noises and wanted background noises all the time - noisy toys left running/playing. He's really a lot more normal now, doesn't have that kind of problem anymore, but for awhile they kept sending him to be checked by an audiologist, who never could test him because of too much fluid in his ears. Two years later, he recently was complaining about "the noise" scaring him. The noise sounded "like a monster coming out of the jungle," and another time like trees blowing in the jungle." (He's still kind of quirky, eh!) But those days passed and when I asked him about the noises, he said it was "just the___ now, like always." Instead of saying the noise, he put his fingers by his ears and opened/shut them over and over, like a pulsing beat. Apparently he's always thought this was normal to hear. If this is tinnitis, should we address it, or downplay it? Also, lately, I've been alarmed at how he can't hear me half the time, or he answers questions wrong, can't repeat several words. He also relies heavily on visual clues, and it trips him up when I cover my mouth and talk to him. So, maybe this is just a bad time for him, with more fluid in his ears. Should I be concerned, or see if it passes? We're seeing an audiologist soon - what questions might I ask... and if he says not to worry, should I not worry?? Thanks for any feedback, I really appreciate it.

 

[VamPyroX]

Perhaps, it's his imagination running wild?

When kids are young, they're new to sounds from all over. As they learn about other things, they may associate those things with certain sounds and make them think differently.

You mentioned fluid in his ears. That's probably what made some things sound differently than what he normally expects and made him think it was monsters or something.

Since you mentioned his autism, fluids in his ears, and his up-&-down desire for background noises... anything could be the case.

 

[deafbajagal]

Ask about Central Auditory Processing Disorder...

Since you mentioned autism, he could be engaging into self-simulation activities and he is likely to repeat things - all the time...have you found a specialist in autism to work with you and your child?

 

[holly_72]

Thank you for your thoughts. =o) The auditory processing disorder - that sounds familiar, instead of what I called it. He would pick up certain phrases incorrectly (it took forever to teach him what "turn the page" really meant). One night he kept crying for his "commercial," which ended up being a particular blanket. I don't know, weird language issues like that, but honestly he's greatly recovered now. He doesn't have the sensory dysfunction anymore, either - he used to stroke/smash/slap things, stare at lights, etc. Most people just think he's a quirky little 4-year-old, kind of a stickler for rules and procedures, and says funny things, in a voice that used to be robotic, now more nasally (another hearing concern?).

I'm guessing he has always (at least off and on) had this problem with fluid accumulation in his ears. Should we have been more aggressive to have done something about this? The pediatrician hasn't been concerned about it, because he has had very few ear infections.

I've asked at my favorite autism boards if anyone else's child hears noises in their ears, or can't seem to hear sometimes. It's different than with the autism because when he can SEE me, he will respond. During his severest time of the autism (age 2), he would avert his eyes and ignore me entirely.

Oh well, I'm glad we'll be seeing an audiologist again. =o) I just started reading too much online last night, and you know what that can do to a mom's mind. I'm glad that no one replied with alarm!

 

[jillio]

Ask about Central Auditory Processing Disorder...

Since you mentioned autism, he could be engaging into self-simulation activities and he is likely to repeat things - all the time...have you found a specialist in autism to work with you and your child?

CAPD came to mind as I was reading this post, as well, deafbajagal. Likewise, it could also be related to the communication difficulties associated with autism. And even if he has some hearing loss associated with fluid in the middle ear, it needs to be addressed to prevent language delay.

 

[holly_72]

Okay, you all. I finally googled CAPD and it describes not only my son but my brother, my (ex)husband, and our older daughter as well. @@ There appears to be quite an overlap among this and autism, ad(h)d, etc.

 

[jillio]

Okay, you all. I finally googled CAPD and it describes not only my son but my brother, my (ex)husband, and our older daughter as well. @@ There appears to be quite an overlap among this and autism, ad(h)d, etc.

Yes, it is found comorbid with other diagnosis quite a lot. And they also suspect a genetic predisposition,which would explain other family members with the same symptoms. Be sure to consult with a doctor that is familiar with the condition. Not all are.

 

[deafbajagal]

Yes, CAPD has been associated with genetic disorders...and so often I've heard of students with CAPD have been misdiagnosed with autism and mental retardation...

Jillo's right. Not all audiologists are qualified to assess for CAPD...it's a specialized disorder.