Can You Hear Me?

Over the past several weeks, we have been very aware of some development concerns we have had about Tyler (slow to walk, slow to make sounds, not waving hi/bye) to name a few. After talking with our pediatrician, we decided to go ahead and start the testing process to make sure we know everything we need to in order to help him. First Stop: Duke Children's Health Center We were lucky enough to get a cancellation appointment this morning at 9:15am for an audiology exam to test Tyler's hearing. He passed his hearing test when he was a newborn, however our pediatrician felt like this would be a good starting place to make sure nothing had changed with Tyler's hearing. The first test that the audiologist did was called tympanometry. The purpose of this test was to test how Tyler's ear drum moves. The audiologist placed a soft plug into both of his ears for a few seconds. The plug detects eardrum movements and sees how the eardrum reacted. The audiologist was prepared for Tyler to cry. He said to Tyler, "Its ok. I know you won't like me for a couple of seconds but I'll be real quick." Well, much to his surprise, Tyler sat there with his puppy and paci and didn't make a peep. The second test was called behavioral audiometry. Tyler sat in Matt's lap in a soundproof booth. Tyler did not have to wear headphones. Sounds were presented into the soundfield. When Tyler turned his head towards the sound, he was rewarded with a moving winnie the pooh figurine with a flashing light. During the audiometric testing, the audiologist finds the lowest intensity level (threshold) at which Tyler can detect sound at different frequencies. Tyler did great. It was my natural instinct to tell Tyler what a good job he was doing but I was quickly set in my place when Matt shot me the "SHHHHHHH...Don't ruin testing" look. The basic outcome of the tests that the audiologist performs is to answer the question of whether or not Tyler can hear well enough to learn speech and language. He passed the test perfectly. Next Step: We were referred for a complete speech and language evaluation. We are still in the early stages for this. Stay tuned... Good news for us? Tyler passed the test and we can breath a little easier and prepare for the next step. Good news for Tyler? Mommy and daddy can stop interupting his play to test his hearing! Tyler, no more yelling your name loudly to see if you can hear us, no more clanging silverware near your ear to see if you turn your head, no more setting off our cell phone alarm near your ear to see if you respond. Sorry, buddy. We'll lay the "Farrell Hearing Testing" to rest and trust your audiologist :) I know what you are thinking, "Wow, what crazy loving parents!" In all seriousness, it is scary to be all over the map when it comes to your child. It is scary to think in one moment that something may be wrong with your child and to not know what it is...and then the next moment, to talk yourself out of it. We have definitely had some challenging moments over the past few weeks, thinking something may be wrong...but I can tell you that it is all washed away with one smile or sweet moment with this boy: And now, here's Tyler...happy to be playing with no "home" tests tonight :)