Part 2: Hearing Disorders (The "Input")

In Mumbai, we often see parents delay hearing tests because they fear the result or think, "He is just stubborn, he ignores us." But in a city this noisy, hearing issues are easily missed.

Here is the Medical/Clinical breakdown adapted for the Indian healthcare system.

Category 1: The Clinical Check-Up (Tests)

In India, we do not always have mandatory screening in smaller nursing homes. Here is what you need to ask your Paediatrician or ENT Specialist for.

1. OAE Test (The "Newborn" Check)

• What it is: Most major Mumbai hospitals do this at birth. It stands for Otoacoustic Emissions.

• The Test: A soft probe is put in the baby’s ear to check the "echo." It takes 2 minutes. If you missed it at birth, get it done now.

2. BERA Test (The "Gold Standard" for Toddlers)

• What it is: Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry. 

• When to use it: If your child is 2-3 years old, hyperactive, or won't sit still for a normal hearing test.

• How it works: The child is usually sedated (given syrup to sleep). Electrodes (stickers) are placed on the head. It measures the brain's response to sound. It is 100% accurate because the child cannot "fake" it.

3. Impedance Audiometry (The "Fluid" Check)

• Target: Specifically to check for Glue Ear (fluid behind the eardrum), which is very common in Mumbai due to humidity and recurring colds/allergies .

• The Feeling: It feels like a little pressure or "pop" in the ear. It is quick and painless.

Category 2: The Fix (Treatments)

If the ENT Specialist finds a problem, here is how we fix it.

1. Grommets (For Glue Ear)

• The Problem:It makes speech sound muffled, like you are talking underwater or through a glass wall.

• The Fix: Grommets (Ventilation Tubes).

• Procedure: A very minor procedure. A tiny plastic tube is put in the eardrum to drain the fluid and let air in.

• Result: The child’s hearing often returns to normal immediately. The tube falls out on its own after 6–12 months.

2. Digital Hearing Aids

• The Stigma: In India, parents often fear the "look" of a hearing aid.

• The Reality: Modern aids are tiny, sometimes invisible, or come in cool colours (Blue/Pink).

• The Need: If the loss is permanent (Sensorineural), the brain needs sound input to learn speech. Without it, the speech center of the brain will stop developing .

Action Plan for the Mother

1. The "Doorbell" Test: If the doorbell rings or a cooker whistle blows in the kitchen, does your child turn immediately? If not, observe closely.

2. The Cold Check: Does your child always have a running nose or breathe through their mouth? This often links to Glue Ear.

3. Go to an ENT: Do not just go to a Paediatrician for speech delay. Go to an ENT specialist. Ask specifically: "Doctor, please check for fluid in the ears."