Ear Tubes

shella923 · June 2014

Hi all,
Wanted to get some feedback on how the ear tube thing went with your LO. DD is 18 months old, and has had 4 to 5 (the last one may have just been fluid) ear infections in six months. An ENT I just saw recommended them. She said I could just monitor it and come back if there's another infection or if not, come back in three months to see if the fluid drained. I know it's a simple procedure but it's making me nervous. Am I making too much of this? I'm debating a second opinion but I think it's kind of "it is what it is". Thank you.

ILoveBoys · June 2014

You need to do what makes you comfortable. If that's a second opinion so be it. DS2 and DD both had them at 21 months. It's normal to be nervous! But really 5 ear infections/fluid buildup is a lot in 6 months.

my5sons · June 2014

My youngest DS had them put in at 18 mos due to ear infections, constant fluid buildup, and he wasn't really talking. I was really nervous about it but it was an extremely fast procedure. It really made a difference because his speech improved quickly and dramatically. We had to have them put in again 2 months ago because they fell out and he had started with the ear infection/fluid prob again. But it was again a very quick and easy procedure and has really been beneficial for our little guy

shella923 · June 2014

You're all making me feel better. Thank you!!!!!

bensmommy518 · June 2014

my5sons said:

My youngest DS had them put in at 18 mos due to ear infections, constant fluid buildup, and he wasn't really talking. I was really nervous about it but it was an extremely fast procedure. It really made a difference because his speech improved quickly and dramatically. We had to have them put in again 2 months ago because they fell out and he had started with the ear infection/fluid prob again. But it was again a very quick and easy procedure and has really been beneficial for our little guy

This is us almost exactly. DS had them at 18 months due to ear infections (unknown number because he had no symptoms) that were not responding to antibiotics and speech delays. He also started working with early intervention for the speech delays. They recently fell out and he immediately got another infection so we had them put back in about a month ago. At that time they also removed his adenoids to try to help. Dr said after that surgery that tonsils would be next if problems persist after this set of tubes but that he prefers to leave tonsils in whenever possible.

Procedure is pretty quick and he was his normal self that same day. You do ear drops and antibiiotics for a couple of weeks but after that it is life as normal.

2goingon3 · June 2014

DD had recurring ear infections and was basically on antibiotics constantly from 10 months to 14 months when she got the tubes in. It was a 20 minute procedure, she bounced back the same day, and hasn't had an ear infection since (she's 5 now). We never had to have them redone, although that is quite common. It made all the difference in the world! Her speech also picked up after the ear infections went away. I can't say enough good things. You'll have to have ear plugs for bath and swimming, and I'd highly recommend the ear band for both (keeps the plugs from falling out).

[Deleted User] · June 2014

Long story made short-- one of the best decisions we've made to date.

ILoveBoys · June 2014

We only were told earplugs if you're going to be in "dirty water" (ie lake water).

JGY · June 2014

Did you see an audiologist in conjunction with the ENT?

DS got tubes at 10.5 months. He had no less than 10 EIs between 4 and 10 months old. Honestly, we lost count. While I certainly had concerns about repeated courses of antibiotics, the thing that pushed me over the edge to opt for the procedure was that he was experiencing some hearing loss and I wanted to do whatever I could to keep that from becoming permanent.

DS had a few infections after he got the tubes, but once they're in you can treat them with drops instead of oral antibiotics, so that's a plus.

We received the same message as PP about ear plugs, only necessary for lake water (be careful in the bath and chlorinated pool water is fine even when submerged).

Summary - my suggestion is that if you're on the fence about getting tubes, make sure to follow up with an audiologist to confirm/deny hearing loss as that should factor in to your decision.

2goingon3 · June 2014

Hmm, we were told ear plugs for all water related activities! Depends on the situation then, I guess!

shella923 · June 2014

Ok. So spoke to her pedi last night. She wants me to bring back DD in three weeks to see if fluid is gone. However, if she gets another ear infection before then, I'm doing tubes. She talks a lot, so I know she's hearing fine, but still..don't want to risk anything. THANK YOU!

JGY · June 2014

tricia560 said:

Even if you think she's hearing fine, I ditto the suggestion for an appointment with the audiologist if there's still fluid at the next check and you're on the fence. When Bud was tested, we found that although he could hear us fine in one ear, the fluid in the other ear was muffling sounds to the point that he was having problems locating the source of sounds. I was quite surprised by that finding, but as I was the one holding him during the test, I couldn't deny it--the softer the sounds, the more likely he was to turn his head the wrong direction.

He's had two ear infections since getting the tubes 4 months ago; we caught both very early due to being able to see the drainage, and they're much easier to treat now. The doctor has given us a standing prescription so we just call to have it refilled when needed. I agree with PP, best decision we made.

Yup. Our guy didn't have any speech delays either, and seemed to understand us. But the hearing impairment was undeniable when he was tested. For the record there was vast improvement after the tubes went it, and we hope to see full return to normal levels at his next appointment (fingers crossed).

shella923 · June 2014

Oh wow...thank you!

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