[jess1980]

I have 12 week old twins. I have one (jacob) that cries a lot and is very animated in that he smiles and laughs and make baby noises when he's not crying/ fussing and my other twin (quinn) is very laid back and quiet and rarely cries but the last couple of days my hubby and I have both noticed that with loud noises etc quinn doesnt startle like his brother does, or when we speak he doesn't look at us. Now both had hearing tests at birth and were all fine so I'm really concerned about it. I have noticed Quinn does have a lot of wax I'm his ears so I'm not sure if that may have something to do with it. I've booked an appt with a chn next week but ill be going out of my mind with worry over the next 4 days! Then i doubt ill get a hearing test before christmas. Has anyone had anything similar and everything was ok? I'm so worried he is deaf obviously if he is it won't be the end of the world but where I live seeing any specialist is a nightmare as they have to come up fr Perth 600km away

[tenar]

Try not to worry.

DD2 was like your Quinn. She didn't respond much to noises At 12 weeks I think that many babies don't turn around to track a noise yet, or they do so but very slowly (think 10-20 seconds after you've made the noise so you don't actually notice they are because by then you have moved on to something else). It's also possible that he is more interested in other things at the moment, like textures, or what he can see, or smell, so isn't focussing on sound at the moment.

DD2 also had one iffy hearing test in the hospital, where the machine couldn't get a response to one of her ears.

We went back when she was a bit older and re-tested, and she's fine. Now she's 16 months and understands everything we say.

Seeing the MCHN is a good idea, or the GP if you are worried (that is one of the things they are for - they won't mind you going and asking). But try not to worry too much, as there's probably no problem.

[mummy.to.one]

As the above PP said try not to worry I know its hard though.

DS failed the hearing tests in one ear as a newborn in hospital. We had a few months before we could obtain an appointment and i know how hard it is to stress in the meantime.

He has passed all subsequent tests, we had repeat tests at 9months and 12months (because he failed a frequency at the 9mth one again).

Can you see your GP will that be quicker and they can refer you on for tests if needed?

[Rukia]

Hi op, i also have twins, and one is profoundly deaf in one ear. He failed every screening test, so we got to a full auditory brain response test which confirmed hearing loss. From newborn, to now at eighteen months old everyone who knows he is hearing impaired is surprised as to interact with him you really can not tell. Obviously everyones experiences are different, and i believe small loss in both ears is more noticable. When he was a baby we noticed he was easier to startle, but than a month or so later so would his twin, so it was really hard to say. Given the first screen was ok i would try not to worry about doing anything urgently, but if you have concerns definately follow it up. Can your gp organise another screening test, we had a mchn do our follow up screens after the hospital? Are you going to be in a bigger city in the new year for something else, and arrange to see someone than? A full hearing test by an audiologist will establish if there actually is a loss, than an ent can look into why and if there are any medical issues ie draining fluid etc whereas an ent will not know if there is loss without a test, but will make recommendations whether to do a test or not if that makes sense. If yiu want anymore info just let me know, but i would be very encouraged by the fact that the first screen was clear and try not stress. Hth

[MummyKylie]

Hi. I would go to the GP for reassessment. If the GP thinks it's urgent they can always refer you to someone in Perth and send you down via PATS.

[bottle~rocket]

Try not to stress too much. If you have any concerns it's best to get things checked out just to be on the safe side. If there is a problem with your baby's hearing, the earlier it is detected the better.

My baby was born with a hearing impairment which was detected during the newborn hearing screen, and he is fine. It really isn't the end of the world as you say.

[Carmen02]

try not to stress (i know its easier said then done sometimes) all 3 of mine failed hearing tests at newborn stage and have gone to have grommets inserted at very young age due to fluid and to much wax, ear infections the works. my first two where very laid back and noise didnt bother them but my 3rd so very different.

[jess1980]

Thanks everyone for your replies Im feeling better about it today. My eldest daughter has grommets that were put in last year so maybe he needs them also and he is only 12 weeks so whatever the outcome Im glad Im onto it sooner rather than later

[joshuakalan]

I would book an appt at your GP and get a referral.