Thanks Noni*e - we actually have a paed check up in Jan and he is going to check his ears again as he'd had quite a few ear infections over winter and mentioned that grommets could be a possibility, so will definitely make sure thats checked. However his talking as picked up again just in the last week - the other day I was shutting the microwave and he said "shut", says "Pretty" for the xmas lights and "car" when playing with his toy cars so it seems we are getting a new word or two each day again - whew!!