Do you Hear what I Hear?

Well, in Max's case, the answer is a defininte NO! 
We've been concerned about his delayed speech for quite a while and finally at his 2 year check up we were referred to a program called Early On.  This program is goverment funded and provides services right in your own home for "developmentally delayed" children up to age 3.  We started with a simple assessment and I immediately requested a hearing screen (given my extensive ear history, this is naturally where my mind went).  He did great on the overall assessment, passing with flying colors in all areas . . . except speech.  So when it came time for the hearing screen, both ears failed miserably.  They stated their protocol was to wait 2 weeks to retest . . . so we did and both ears failed AGAIN, by A LOT! 
We finally got into the ENT and it is confirmed, his hearing is extremely decreased, it was even flat lined on one ear :(  What is surprising is that he has NEVER had an ear infection, always follows directions and appears to hear just fine.  His only symptoms are delayed speech and something about the way he says words (sounds like underwater if you ask me).  He is saying a lot and his vocabulary is increasing each day, but he is consistently missing many sounds in his words, and now we know it's because he's not hearing them.
First step is tubes.  The Dr. is hopeful this will be the solution, to drain the fluid and see how his hearing and speech improve.  So wish us luck, and say a little prayer for our Max Aiden on December 23rd at 7:30am.
Best Christmas present ever for this little guy, to finally be able to hear everything he has been missing out on!!