Deaf or Selective Hearing?

Seth had a hearing test today because his teacher had some concerns, well, we have had some too, about his hearing. We all have noticed that he has been saying “what?” a lot, and to be honest, his speech isn’t what others is in his class. Of course, he is only 4.


So, my ex took Seth into the doctor today, and they tested him. He completely failed the test , which means he’s deaf! Well, I know that is bunk because some times when I ask him to do something, he’ll do it; other times he’ll say “what?”, and even still, he’ll ignore me all together :roll:.


I’m thinking that he might have some hearing loss, but he is NOT 100% deaf. I think he gets the “what” thing from us. When he talks, it is sometimes hard to understand him, so we find ourselves saying “what??”, and I think he’s picked up on that.


Also, another theory is that he does not understand ‘mentally’ what the doctor and hearing advisors are asking him to do. So maybe he does not understand that he needs to say something when he hears a sound? I don’t know.


Perhaps a serious case of selective hearing.



Any of you mom's out there have/had to deal with something like this?

Hmm, I can't offer any advice, but I hope all works out well.

*hugs* I haven't experienced any of this so I don't have any advice. I just wanted to give you a hug and my support. I hope everything works out for you.

I'm not a mom, but wanted to offer support.

Does your GP have any other ideas? Where the people testing used to dealing with such a young child? I think I'd be asking to have him sent to a specialist. What happens if you sneak up behind him and make a loud noise? Does he hear it?

Hubby and I have a client that can't hear herself talk, she can hear others talk to her but something isn't connected right in her ears. It causes her to have a speach problem. I can't imagine how her parents taught her to talk....????

Good luck, it must be such a worry.

More then likley he was tested by a pediatrician.

I have a feeling it his speech is off there is probably "some" issue. Whether it's deafness or not I'm not sure. I would have him retested for your own sanity. I think you are right that he can hear some because you would have noticed 100% deafness.

I would see if you can get a prescription to take him to a specialist to see exactly what the issue is. Has he had ear infections? It's great that you caught it this early whatever the problem because you have time to figure out how to deal w/ it before he starts kindergarten...

Poor baby... I really hope it's more ingoring the mommy and the teacher and not understanding the doctor. The test they did for max had stuff they stuck to his head and read the reactions.....maybe you can get one of those?

Hi hope all works out. We have a 6 year old son who was born VERY premie We too went through this. For us it ended up being he could hear but he didn't understand what we wanted so he tested badly he was then tested for other disabilities but they came to the realization that he had non just when it came to comprehension he doesn't do so well. At times he chooses not to listen we constantly repeat then ask him to repeat and then do as we say. He is also a BIG over thinker...I'm certain he got that from me so when he is told something he won't respond b/c he is trying to think EVERYTHING out lol It's getting better with time, Now if we ask him something about a video game he is SPOT ON Good Luck

You're in the 'what' stage! All of kiddos (and grands) have gone thru this. Do what YOU need for your sanity, and throw the rest to 'growing up!'

Korrie... My now 14 yo had terrible "selective hearing" Her kindergarten and first grade teachers all told me that they thought she had hearing issues. Her only issue was that she had been in a "pre-school" that actually taught her numbers and letters and such since she was 3. She already knew what they teachers were teaching and she was bored so she lived in her own little world. I would stand in the kitchen and whisper...Do you want some ice cream??? And she'd scream YES!!!! From the living room. She wasn't deaf.

Now my step-son Adam. He's a completely different story. He had MANY MANY MANY ear infections and he had horrible seasonal allergies...He WAS basically deaf from the ages of about 2-5. We only got to see him 4 days a month and noticed that he was always sick. We would even take him to the doctor from time to time on the weekends (urgent care) Just to get him some meds. (ARGH divorced life) Anyways. He started school and was "in trouble" 4 of the 5 first days of kindgergarten. The school insisted that the EX-Wife take him to the University for a REAL hearing test. He failed it miserably...Poor little bugger.
He eventually ended up with 2 different sets of tubes in his ears and was held back a year. They put him in the school's "little pups" preschool and re-started him in Kindergarten the following year. He's now 8 and in 2nd grade. He's outgrown the ear infections and most of the allergies. He's getting good grades and his speech is developing along nicely. He still talks like a 5yo but it's getting better and better every time we see him. The school has been great and has him enrolled in an IEP and has him going to speech class 2 day a week and he's supposed to be in tutoring as well. (that's another story).


I would have your pediatrician refer you to a professional hearing center and have Seth tested. They have a barrage of tests that little britches can understand and do very well with.

He was tested by a general doctor, but this doctor has been seeing him since he was tiny. I'm thinking that they just don't have the equipment to do a test such as this on such a young person.

He is going to a specialist in Feb. To get a real test done, then hopefully we'll know whats going on.

Anyone know if they do hearing tests when children are born?


I agree, we would have had these and probably many more issues if he were 100% early on. The fact that we're having these issues now leads me to believe that there might be some issues, but now complete deafness.

He is going to see a specialist in Feb. I'm not sure what type of test they'll be running, but I'll be sure to go to that one. My ex DID tell me about this appointment, but I spaced it out, that and I doubt my car would have started this morning anyway. I will be sure to make it this time.





He HAS had a lot of ear infections, and all went with their own concerns. It seemed like since he was tiny he was getting them; amazingly enough when the Dr looked at his ears today they were clear!

I also know that my ex lets him ride in the skid loader, and he is around tractors a lot, so I am wondering if maybe that has anything to do with it. Maybe some, but very little I'm sure.

Thinking about it MORE, Seth is always asking to have the radio turned up in the car..... Of course I'm not one to blare the radio, but ugh... I am going to beat myself up over this until I know.

Skid loader! Bad man... max wears earthings when he's on the tractor... bad bad man! Hit him w/ a vinigar filled water ballon!