My young daughter has had constant ear infections from the age of 4 months. Her daily life is that she often cannot stand without wobbling, she cannot walk without falling over - often resulting in her injuring herself. She does not sleep at night as she is crying and holding her ears. Every day she needs pain relief.
After many conversations with our GP we were eventually referred to Lanarkshire ENT/ Audiology where we had a several appointments until they had exhausted all options open to them given her age; she failed hearing tests at each of these appointments. Only then we were told that in his opinion she would need put under general anesthetic for further investigation and that was only available at Glasgow children’s hospital due to her age. We were deeply disappointed as to why this was such a long drawn out process, rather than being referred straight to Glasgow given how young she was.
At our first appointment at Glasgow children’s hospital Doctor Koenig couldn’t have been more informative after she assessed my daughters hearing which she had failed again. She explained in enough detail to allow us to try and understand what was happening with her ears. Her diagnosis treatment plan was; Adenoid removal, grommet insertion as well. She had to be referred to audiology as she was likely to need hearing aids to help with her speech development.
As parents we were relieved to eventually have answers until we were told the waiting time for this operation was over 3 years!! I understand the pressure on the NHS currently but I am currently at a total loss as to how she is supposed to live like this for that length of time. My daughter currently has 2-3 days maximum in between her ear leaking due to the eardrum bursting (this can be in both ears at the same time or individually), I understand the surgical list is prioritised, and that as her mum I could seem biased, but how can this not be a priority?
We are currently still waiting to be seen by audiology, however we cannot see how this will help with her speech development when she cannot wear hearing aids when she has an ear infection as she rarely doesn’t have one.
As a mother I cannot even begin to express the heartbreak when I have to watch my daughter in pain like this everyday, knowing there is not a thing I can do about, especially knowing this is affecting her speech development.
The waiting times for this procedure are appalling.
"The waiting times are appalling"
About: Royal Hospital for Children (Glasgow) / Audiology Royal Hospital for Children (Glasgow) Audiology Glasgow G51 4TF Royal Hospital for Children (Glasgow) / Ear, Nose & Throat (ward 3b) Royal Hospital for Children (Glasgow) Ear, Nose & Throat (ward 3b) Glasgow G51 4TF
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