Update on Max’s hearing…

Today Max had a followup appointment at the audiology department to try to get better results from the tests. Basically it was exactly the same tests, with the same people, in the same place. He nailed it! He heard and reacted properly to every single tone! From that they’ve concluded that he definitely doesn’t seem to have hearing issues. It may be that he has had glue ear or something similar, but whatever it is, it’s not affecting him now!

However, that still leaves us with a 2 year old who doesn’t talk and seems unable to distinguish people talking out of other noises going on around him. So the next step is for him to see a developmental/speech therapist. The next appointment they had available was mid-January. Until then we’ve just to carry on as we have been, talking to him – pointing out things and telling him what they’re called etc, and hope that he starts picking up on what he’s supposed to do, which is copy me and say it back.

I can’t help but worry that his speech delays are caused by the depression that both his dad and I suffered from in his first year. It’s hard to admit, but I was so relieved when he stopped screaming all the time (for the first 4-5 months solidly) that I would pop him into his bouncer and get on with other things, when I should have been spending time with him.

What’s done is done though, and there’s nothing I can do but move forward, and make up for it now by being the best mum I can be for him.

I am so relieved that he doesn’t have hearing problems. Any speech problems will eventually sort themselves out as he grows up and we get advice and help with teaching him how to talk. On the other hand, if it had *just* been a hearing problem, it could have been fixed relatively easily, whereas this will take quite a few years to come good I think. The main thing is he’s healthy as can be, and he’s surrounded by people who love him and are doing the best they possibly can by him.