I dont want him to have to wear hearing aides. help?

My son will be two next month. His pediatrician, whom I am about to switch, says that his speech is slightly behind, due to constant fluid in his ears. I myself, wear two hearing aides due to ear infections, etc. The pediatrician has always seemed to be so lackadaisical about any prevention of hearing problems. I want to do everything I can to prevent it! Now that the doc says his speech is behind and there is a lot of fluid in his ears, I would think there should be some further steps taken beside antibiotics. As I said, the doc doesn鈥檛 seem to really care and doesn鈥檛 seem to have a genuine concern about my child in general. Am I over reacting?? How many ear infections does it take until my son has hearing loss and someone realizes there may be a problem??

A mother, I don't think can ever 'over react' when it comes to her childs well being and health. I am not a mother but I do have many as close friends. Consult another doctor. One of my girlfriends son's had to go through a procedure with tubes in his ears becuase of the fluid build up, but he is fine now and he can hear. Just becuase you have a problem with your hearing believe it or not, doesn't mean your child will have the same problems promised to them.

I think your concearns are justified. I'd start looking for a pediatrician who is experienced with treatment of deaf/hearing impaired children. You might want to find a local deaf organization and ask them if they know pediatricians for hearing impaired children.

If you can't find a pediatrician that has experience with the hard of hearing, try looking for an audiologist that works with children.

Since permanent hearing loss can occur from chronic fluid buildup, it makes sense to take preventative measures instead of treatment after the fact. A co-worker in my office has been faced with the same thing. She and her husband opted to have an operation to drain the ears, and her son has done much better.