Barium and hearing aids

Maria had a barium swallow yesterday. She did fine with solids and the thick liquid, but had some penetration with the thin liquid (which means it headed toward her airway but didn't actually go into her lungs). So they said continue as before with the thickener and start feeding therapy. This is pretty much as expected since the purpose of the test was an evaluation before starting feeding therapy anyhow.

She also saw the audiologist. The most startling news was that they are going to take her hearing aids away, but not because she doesn't need them. We realized these were loaner hearing aids, but didn't realize that the loan period was so short. It was supposed to be for six months and they got special permission to extend that to a year, but that year is up. So Cathy either has to buy new hearing aids herself (not cheap and not covered by insurance) or go through a state program to get them for free, which means forms and bureaucracy and waiting.

This is further complicated by the fact that they still aren't sure if she needs them. Her hearing threshold with the hearing aids was 65-70 dB, and the threshold without the hearing aids was 70-75 dB. That's a small enough difference that it could be statistical error or fatigue. They are going to discuss it and call next week.