Ear tubes question...

amyinaustin

DD is now on her 3rd ear infection in the past 5 months.  SMIL is telling us we need to talk to our Dr about putting tubes in her ears b/c she gets them "so frequently".

I was not really alarmed at the number of infections she's had.  The ear infections were secondary to really bad colds or RSV in the first 2 cases, and this time she's just lucked out and gotten a double infection.

For those that have been down the tube route - at what point do you start considering them?  Are 3 ear infections in 5 months considered "frequent"?  I always thought that you had to have an infection every month or so for them to be considered frequent.  I seem to remember Rosie's DS having them a LOT before getting the tubes.

Any advice is appreciated.

bobcatsteph

DD had 5 or 6 (I can't even remember) infections in 4 months so her pedi referred us to an ENT. I would talk to your pedi about it and see what their policy is on ENT referrals.

mlf625

After Anderson's 3rd EI diagnosis in 3 months, his pedi sent us to the ENT.  The ENT said 3 in 3-4 months was definitely sufficient.  They weren't really sure whether A's was just 1 infection we never were fully able to control or 3 separate EIs, but either way, I'm SO glad we just did the tubes.  He's much happier, he's speaking more, and I'm grateful not to have to worry whether his ears are bothering him.

I don't think 3 in 5 months seems crazy (especially if she's in day care- I forget whether she is or not?) but in your shoes I'd probably want to see an ENT just to see what they think. 

Nessia

We were just told today DS would need tubes. I really thought we were nit going to need them because it was three in six months. The last two were double ear infections that were a month apart. He still has fluid in one ear and has an ear drum burst with his last infection. What really sealed the deal for me was that he hearing was not what it should be. It was normal for an adult but it should be better than what it is. The dr said his hearing could affect him A's he's developing. So we're getting them on Monday. Probably the antnoids (sp?) too.