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Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
SallyAnneS
member
tell me about ear tubes
SallyAnneS
member
After some testing it has been decided my ds is going to be getting ear tubes. He hasn't had any infections, but he does have fluid buildup that won't naturally drain and it is effecting his hearing.
His surgery was going to be the end at May but just got bumped up to this Tuesday!! And I feel like I have no idea what is going to happen before the surgery at the hospital, during the surgery, during recovery or as follow up everyday care for him. The specialist is hard to understand and doesn't have great bedside manner. All I know is I am suppose to protect his ears in the bath and pool using cotton balls (???)
If you could let me know your experience I would really appreciate it. Also, what is the deal with the cotton balls?? Ds loves the water, so I'm hoping this doesn't effect his love for it. Or the easy natural of getting him ready for being in the water. Also, how long do the tubes usually last 9-15 months? Does that sound About right?
I have read this also helps with constant colds/coughs? Has anyone else experienced this?
Thanks so much.
Twins:
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Re: tell me about ear tubes
Our ENT said we don't need to do anything differently for water - that they generally don't prescribe that anymore.
They have been great for us.
This exactly. The hardest part was she had to fast until her surgery which wasn't until 11 am. So we did a lot of distraction tactics to keep her mind off not eating.
Both my kids have tubes. DD's have been wonderful, DS's not so much. He got them when he was 5 mths old and the left tube still gets clogged up and he has had about 5 ear infections in that ear since the tubes.
We got ear molds made at the ENT for bathtime and swimming.
This exactly with 2 of my kids.... and NO problems whatsoever after the tubes!
DS got tubes because he had one ear infection each month for seven months. They have been fantastic. It's so nice to not have to take him to the doctor so often.
The surgery is easy,although it may be hard giving him up to someone else when he's under! It only took about 30 minutes. For us, he had a hard time coming out of the anesthesia, and was really cranky for a few hours. He was fine after his nap.
Our ENT stressed that he needed to have earplugs during baths and any swim time. I assumed that was typical, but from reading other answer on this board, I'm not sure it is. We bought earplugs from the ENT for $12. If you do use cotton balls, you need to dip them in vasoline first. Cotton balls alone will not keep water out.
I work for an ENT and they do tubes all the time. It really does take 10 minutes. In fact for adults, we do them in the office (it's too hard to get kids to stay still that long).
We tell parents to plug their ears when they go swimming. In fact as part of their post op appointment, we give them a set of Docs plugs. They are a plastic plug that fits in the ear. They are fit to the patient's ear (as in they come in 5 or 6 sizes). If someone wants to buy a set (that's not a post op) I think they are $10.
Just like anything, there are things that can happen. It sounds like your LO doesn't have frequent ear infections so I wouldn't be conserned about the tube clogging.
Tubes can fall out on their own or be removed by the doctor. They generally last 18-24 months. If they fall out before then, its usually because they don't need them anymore.
DS #2 has had two sets of tubes. He got his first set because of constant ear infections, and his second set because of fluid that wasn't draining that was effecting his hearing. Both surgeries were easy / uneventful. He got his first set at 14 months, and they just used gas to put him under. He woke up very crabby and slept most of the day. The tubes stayed in for ~ 8 months. For his second set at 2.5, they used gas to put him under, but I believe they also used other anesthesia. He woke up happy, but acted drunk/silly the rest of the day. He did not take a nap that day, and he also did not stop talking. He also had his adenoids taken out. They gave us tylenol w/ morphine or codiene, I believe. We didn't use it because he didn't seem to be in pain, and I have wierd reactions to codeine.
We have never used ear plugs for him. Our ENT told us we didn't need to unless he went in a lake. He said pool water and bathtub water were fine. He hasn't had as many colds since his 2nd set were put in. He's actually been really healthy this winter. I think this is due to the adenoid removal however. His hearing is also normal again.