Matthew had his ENT review at NUH last Thursday (15/2/07). I was quite hesitant about this review because he was supposed to do a play audio test in an enclosed soundproof room. We were quite surprised - Matthew walked in without hesitation when the audiologist invited him into the room. The room was decorated with kids in mind. There were kid-sized table and chairs from Ikea, playthings, colourful carpets.

Matthew sat down at the table with the audiologist facing him. The audiologist told him to put the pin next to his ear, as if some sound was coming out of it and to place it in the holes of a playboard when he heard a "tu" sound. He passed this test with flying colours.

We couldn't proceed with the next test that required headphones to be used. He simply refused to have the headphones placed. This test would be able to test how much he could hear with his left ear, the different frequencies etc. The next review would be 9 months later. Hopefully, by then he would let the audiologist place the headphones on his head.

The ENT centre had an allergy clinic, so Dr Lynne Lin (Matthew's ENT specialist) recommended that Matthew take the skin prick test when she saw the hives on his legs. The nurse at the clinic explained to us that the only type of test she could do was to test for contact allergens, such as dust mites. The tests were not really conclusive, as Matthew's skin reacted to the negative control. The nurse suggested we keep a food diary, noting down everything that he eats and the time of his skin reaction (i.e. appearance of hives). The most common food allergies were milk, wheat, eggs and soya. We shall see how things go first before we try to carry out a food-elimination-diet, as it is so difficult to restrict the diet of a growing child.

Here's an article from askdrsears.com >> TRACKING DOWN FOOD ALLERGIES