Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 12/3/2008

Question
the school nurse just called to tell me samantha has failed her hearing test...I'm so sick over this and very worried. I'm writing through the tesrs.
 what might cause this problem?  what can I do?  she does always have a build up of ear wax.  could there be a whole bunch in her ears??? is this possible??
a very worried mother!!  thank you   gloria

Answer
Hi Gloria,
There are so many reasons why a 9-year-old could fail a school hearing test.  First, you must understand that these are not tests, that is, they are not precise and they are not done in a controlled environment.  They are also not performed by professionals specifically trained in conducting hearing evaluations. Having said that, here are some reasons for failing the screening: Yes, ear wax could be a reason, especially if your daughter has a history of ear wax.  Another could be middle ear congestion, especially if your daughter has recently had cold or if she has allergies. Several others could be that your daughter was just distracted or didn't understand what the nurse wanted her to do. Again, the environment itself may have been too noisy to get good results.  And, lastly, the nurse may just not be good enough at getting accurate results. I cannot tell you how many children I have tested who failed school screenings and have perfectly normal hearing. Having said all this, there is still the possibility that your daughter has a loss.  Therefore, your next step is to make an appointment with an ear specialist, ENT, and have your daughter's hearing evaluated by an audiologist with experience in pediatrics.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology