Derbyshire mum shocked at severity of son’s ear infection
A Derbyshire mum believes that if she had been better informed, he might have been referred for specialist treatment earlier
[UKPRwire, Tue Jan 20 2009] Davinia Gill’s son Tee-Jay, age 4 from Ilkeston in Derbyshire, suffered repeatedly with middle ear infections between November 2007 and May 2008.
Although Davinia was aware that middle ear infections are common in children, she wasn’t aware that the symptoms could be as severe. Tee-Jay was experiencing an ear infection every couple of weeks, with symptoms that included a high temperature and vertigo which frequently caused him to be sick and fall over.
”I had no idea that these sorts of extreme symptoms could result from an ear infection, and feel I would have picked it up quicker if I had had better information,” said Davinia.
Due to the nature of the symptoms, Tee-Jay and his mum made frequent trips to the doctor’s. Antibiotics were regularly prescribed and several GPs gave reassurance that her son would ‘grow out’ of the infections. However, as time went on, Davinia began to have concerns about his speech. Comparing Tee-Jay’s progress with that of her other children, she began to suspect that something wasn’t right. She noticed that some of her son’s words were difficult to understand and that not always being understood would make him frustrated. So after expressing these concerns to their health visitor, a hearing test was arranged for Tee-Jay.
When the hearing test confirmed a hearing loss, the initial suggestion was to provide Tee-Jay with a hearing aid. This is an option that may be considered when a child is experiencing symptoms of glue ear whilst waiting to see if the glue ear will clear up on its own. However, in Tee-Jay’s case it was decided that this was not appropriate and so he was referred to a specialist.
It was only in July 2008 that Tee-Jay was confirmed to have glue ear, although at this appointment his hearing had actually improved slightly. As hearing is known to fluctuate with the condition, a further period of waiting was advised. But in October 2008, when Tee-Jay’s speech was still a cause for concern and another hearing test was undertaken, Davinia was given the option for Tee-Jay to have grommets fitted. With the operation explained, Davinia felt this was the best course of action.
Although Davinia says she had heard of glue ear prior to Tee-Jay’s experience, she feels it would have been useful to have had the condition explained or if more information had been available from the doctor’s surgery.
Deafness Research UK is the country's only charity dedicated to finding new cures, treatments and technologies for the deaf, hard of hearing and other hearing impaired people including tinnitus sufferers. For information on research into deafness and other hearing conditions, log on to the website, www.deafnessresearch.org.uk
ENDS
Notes to editors
Parents worried about children’s ear infections and not sure where to turn can now get up-to-date advice and guidance from leading national charity Deafness Research UK, who has just published its new leaflet Ear infections and glue ear in children.
Around 200,0001 children suffer from repeated ear infections or glue ear each year in the UK. Whilst the majority of ear infections clear up naturally, there is a danger that potentially more serious cases are being overlooked and, whilst rare, the bacteria that cause ear infections can lead to complications such as pneumonia and meningitis.
Where the conditions cause hearing loss because the middle ear becomes filled with fluid, younger children in particular can have problems with language development and speech.
The leaflet is full of practical tips and guidance and contains the latest medical thinking on these conditions, describing the range of possible symptoms, current treatments and ways in which parents can support their child and prevent further problems. Historically, incidences of children’s ear infections in the UK reach a peak between January and March approximately, which is why Deafness Research UK is publishing its leaflet now.
With good knowledge, parents can do much to help their child and so Deafness Research UK’s new leaflet is being circulated to 6,000 GP surgeries in January, and can also be obtained directly from Deafness Research UK, telephone 0808 808 2222 or email info@deafnessresearch.org.uk
About Deafness Research UK
• Deafness Research UK is the country’s only charity dedicated to finding new cures, treatments and technologies for deaf, hard of hearing and other hearing impaired people.
• The charity supports high quality medical research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all forms of hearing impairment including tinnitus.
• The Deafness Research UK Information Service provides free information and advice based on the latest scientific evidence and informed by leading experts. The Information Service can be contacted on Freephone 0808 808 2222
• For more information on research into deafness, tinnitus and other hearing conditions, log on to the website at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk where you can access a wide range of information. Alternatively you can e-mail Deafness Research UK at info@deafnessresearch.org.uk
• One in seven people in the UK – almost nine million people - suffer hearing loss.
• Deafness Research UK was founded in 1985 by Lord (Jack) and Lady Ashley of Stoke.
• In January 2008, Action for Tinnitus Research (ATR) was linked with Deafness Research UK under a uniting direction order under section 96(6) of the Charities Act 1993.
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REF: DRUK106 – Tee-Jay Gill ear problems
