Ear tubes?

Novem06 · February 2011

If your LO has them or needs them...how did you know? (I guess besides the Dr telling you....) How many ear infections would your LO get? Were there any other symptoms? DS never shows when he has an ear infection until it is really bad and there are obvious other signs.

DS is on antiobiotics for a double ear infection right now since Tuesday. I feel like he is always sick from daycare. Anyways, this is his 4th and he is almost 14 months. When I brought it up to the Dr, she said that actually wasn't that bad. That his ear infections clear up with medicine and stay clear for a few months until the next round of sickness. And that normally if a LO needs tubes it is because the ear infections are almost continuous or never fully go away.

Daycare called that I had to pick him up early today because he still has a fever and mentioned tubes to me. He has lots of green snotty drainage and awful breath so they brought up his sinuses too. I notice even when he is healthy he always has lots of thick ear wax.

Anyways, sorry this was rambling. Obviously I don't want him to have to have surgery and get tubes...his daycare teacher just got me a bit paranoid that he might be having more ear infections that what is normal...

SaranJonathan · February 2011

My DD started with ear infections at 6 months. By 8 months we were on our 5th and got tubes. The last one did not clear after 3 rounds of oral antibiotics and 3 intramuscular shots of antibiotics. Then she did not pass her hearing test because she had so much fluid in ears. Dont worry about what the daycare ladies think!

Bianca42 · February 2011

We're getting tubes Wednesday. LO has had 8 infections since October and they don't drain.

emcheerumr · February 2011

DS just had his surgery Wednesday.

He has had either an ear infection or fluid in his ears since mid-December. He would only get about a week and a half after the antibiotics until he got another infection. He just finished his 4th round the day of his surgery.

DS pediatrician referred us to an ENT and they did a hearing test which he failed so they went ahead with the tubes.

ValentineNJ · February 2011

I highly recommend Wally's Ear Oil to prevent infections/stop the pain from ear infections. LO has only had one so far (knock wood) and almost had a relapse (still had fluid in one ear) so the doctor recommended trying this to nip it in the bud...totally worked. I still use it every other day in his ears to prevent an issue (oh, and I also use it, was born w/ small eustacian tubes and prone to infections....has also helped me). There are also natural substances you can give LO to help along their immune systems - if you are interested PM me (gotta run now).

daisy333 · February 2011

DS got tubes last month after 4 ear infections in 4 months, along with 4 diffferent antibiotics which aparantly weren't working. Like your child, he never showed signs of an ear infection or that he was in pain. The only way I knew was a high fever, or checkups at the dr. Surgery was a much easier experience than we expected. He was back home and running around within 4 hours of the surgery. He has had a cold since and his ears were draining like crazy... I guess the tubes work! I can't imagine having all that fluid stored up in his ears. He seems much more energetic and has picked up on lots of new words since the surgery a few short weeks ago.

Sassystace · February 2011

DS had infections that would not clear with antibiotics. We would have stretches of 4-6 wks on antibiotics where he would not get better. He got tubes at 12 months after three infections like this. Unfortunately, kids in daycare get lots of colds so they are bound to get some ear infections. If your LOs ear infections do clear up with the meds, that is great. Spring is around the corner so hopefully, the colds will start to taper off soon.

SailorGray · February 2011

DS either had 7 infections from October to December or he had the same infection and it wouldn't clear up. He was always on antibiotics. Usually a few days after his meds were done, we'd be back at the docs with more infections. He also gets bad breath. It was really bad when he had mono in October from all of the mucous back in his thriat (blech) and now it is bad when he has tonsilitis. I am pretty sure he will also have to get his tonsils out in the next year or so.

He got tubes put in in January. They have been great, but his one ear has been draining A LOT for the past week and he is in pain. He also has been having fevers. I called the doc and they want him to be on the drops before they put him on antibiotics because he has been on so many antibiotics in the past. His ears!! Grrrrr.

All of his "issues" started in October. So, did daycare....gotta love it.

lovelylinz · February 2011

FYI, ear infections are more common with little guys than adults because of the internal slope of the ear canals. As children's facial bones grow, their internal (behind the drum) ear canals tilt from being essentially flat to draining into the nasal cavity at a tilt. By kindergarten, most kids grow out of it. Literally.

Yeah, I know. Unasked-for information. But it's interesting.

sapphire angel · February 2011

Novem06:
...normally if a LO needs tubes it is because the ear infections are almost continuous or never fully go away.
He has lots of green snotty drainage and awful breath so they brought up his sinuses too. I notice even when he is healthy he always has lots of thick ear wax.

LO's ear infections started Oct 28th-ish and lasted until tubes were put in on February 10th. Every 2 weeks was a different antibiotic, some even overlapping towards the end. 4 ear infections by 14 months and with definite clear ear drum time in between is not cause for ear tubes. You would probably have trouble finding an ENT willing to do the surgery without more cause.

Truly horrible breath may indicate a throat infection. LO did this once and I had to force myself to hold still while she gave me kisses. Her breath could knock you out almost and brushing did not help at all, the bad smell was still there underneath the scent of toothpaste. Antibiotics cleared this up.

Your LO may just be unfortunate about having thick ear wax but I do not think the ear wax itself directly influences ear infections...I honestly don't know that ear wax affects number of infections.... If you are worried talk to your doctor about how you can clean it out consistently and how often to do so.

LiebeMama · February 2011

DS has only had one ear infection. He is just about 17 months now. DH's son had tubes in his ears when he was younger.

Novem06 · February 2011

Thanks ladies this makes me feel better! I thought daycare was being a bit extreme on their diagnosis

lovelylinz · February 2011

Novem06:
I notice even when he is healthy he always has lots of thick ear wax.

Ear wax is in the external ear canal, on the outside side of the ear drum. While it is possible to get an external ear infection (think swimmer's ear), your standard childhood ear infection is on the other side of the drum and ear wax has no influence on it. Thick ear wax should not be a problem.

jillms413 · February 2011

DD has had 6 ear infections since the colds started in September. She is in full time daycare. However, the anti-biotics clear the infections up and she usually has about 3-4 weeks in between infections. The pediatrician told me that this is actually good and that some kids' ears never clear of the fluid (as the previous posters mentioned). I am hoping that her ear infections stop in the Spring and Summer when the colds do. I told myself that if they don't, then I would consider bringing her to the ENT.

amwadas · February 2011

We get our tubes next week. She has had 5 ear infections in 6 months. Our pedi said they usually don't send you to the ENT until you have had 4 or 5 in a year and if they have trouble clearing up or come back right away.

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