Wondering

[mapsedge]

My son is almost completely deaf now.  It's reversible, and indeed will be on Friday morning when the ENT puts in new tubes and cleans out the gunk behind his eardrums.  With each passing day he becomes more and more disconnected from his actions on the world, becoming harder to control because he simply can't hear.  In his frustration at not being able to understand us and his sister his behavior has turned negative, even violent. 

There are words he recognizes, I think more from how they feel in his head than by how they sound: mommy, daddy, Katie, Kent, Kevin*, and amusingly, chocolate milk.  Everything else is just noise.

He listens to the cd player with the volume turned up loud and his head against the speaker.

We have to augment our communication with him with pantomime.  To really talk to him, you have to speak into the trumpet of his ear, though you have to be careful not to breathe too much, or you'll lose him to giggles as the breath tickles his ear or neck.

Friday morning, though, he will have his ears cleaned out.  I am interested to see what will change when suddenly the world makes sounds again. 


* which ought to give something away, if you know us well.

Comments

[bonnyann.livejournal.com]

I remember when mesniu's and angel-in-purple's son Mason was similarly effected. I'm not sure if it's the same medical cause but he had it early enough that his speech was effected. He also showed the same anger and behavior because of his frustration. After his ear surgery, he became a different child. It really was amazing. So have heart! It will be a big positive. Email either of them for details.

[iarraidh.livejournal.com]

Wow.
What a Christmas present for all of you.

My own hearing has degraded with time, and I know it frustrates ME a lot - and I know what's going on.
Must be absolutely maddening for a child.

I trust they'll keep the area quiet-ish after the fluid drains so he can re-accustom to sound.

[billthetailor.livejournal.com]

The clinic is through St. Luke's and is AMAZING. When we had him in for tubes the first time, he didn't just wake up in recovery: he woke up in recovery being held by one of the nurses in a big easy chair. He's a little big for that now, but the level of care is astonishing.

[bleuberi21.livejournal.com]

poor little guy. i hope everything goes peachy tomorrow!!

my gavin has had almost continuous ear infections for the last 2 months...he's been on antibiotics 3 times, and i won't be surprised if he goes back on tomorrow after we go to the dr for his 2nd flu shot.

is ear infections how all of jamie's ear issues started?

[billthetailor.livejournal.com]

Pretty much. Michelle has it well documented on her journal, mljm.

[emeder.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry it's gotten so bad. Thank goodness it's relatively fixable, though. Good luck on Friday. Let us know how it goes. Will you be with us for the shoot on Saturday?

E

[billthetailor.livejournal.com]

Possibly in the evening, but not for the restaurant. Too many scheduling conflicts were created by the ice storm.

[aerie13.livejournal.com]

I am amused. I also wonder if the "K"s help. Much easier to feel, ya know?

Glad things are finally looking up. *hug*