Fluid in middle ear (possible link to behavior issues)

tumpkin

My son has been battling middle ear infections/ fluid in the middle ear from September 2010 to present. He has had about 5 episodes already. He has been put on antibiotics every single time, and just recently was put on antiobiotics again for 4 weeks straight. We took him to 2 ENT's of which one said he definitely needed the tubes, the other said he didn't. The pedi. is also doing a "wait and see what happens" approach and put him on 4 weeks of antibiotics, which has me really upset. Those who have had this similar situation, I ask these questions:

1) Did your child begin to show a speech delay?

2) Was your child showing a receptive language delay as well?

3) Did your child exhibit any behavioral changes during the time the fluid/infection was present?

We seem to be going through all the issues mentioned above and I'm at my wits end. No one sees my urgency to want to get the tubes put in. Any info. would be greatly appreciated.

sweetieNJ

the ENT that said he didn't need tubes, what did he say to do?  Can you get a 3rd opinion?

dunvilles

It is highly possible that the fluid in the middle ear can cause delays and hearing loss. I would get a 3rd opionion. The doctors are the experts in this field but you sure can call, get information, and show them that you are really concerned. The best approach is to be highly informed on your part, present your concerns logically/thoughtfully, and demonstrate that you have done your research.

I would be very concerned about DS having so many ear infections, being on antibiotics for so long, and if you have seen some delays already.

GL

cranberry27

I'm a speech therapist and I am going through this with my son...

Fluid can cause expressive and receptive speech delays - it tends to be more subtle because they are still hearing, they just aren't hearing very clearly.  But it does happen.  In the long run they should catch up pretty easily, but I am still motivated to get the tubes because of it. 

My son has very few indicators that he's got an infection, and it's almost always behavioral.  Last time he was being a total beast for several days, to the point of having big, uncharacteristic tantrums and banging his head on the floor.  The minute he got the antibiotics, he turned into my sweet little boy again.  Stopped the drugs, infection came back, so did the tantrums.  I'm crabby when I don't feel good...I figure it's not a stretch for him to do the same! 

We are getting tubes and I am thrilled.  I have seen so many of my speech clients get them and every time the parents freak out.  Afterwards they always look sheepish and tell me it was NOTHING and so easy, so I'm all for it.