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TTM about ear tubes

acesupacesup member
in Parenting
DS (16 months) has had recurring ear infections and up to this point the pedi hadn't been too concerned because they were clearing up and he had no residual fluid. The last few have not cleared up and he had a check yesterday and still has fluid. It's been about 5 or 6 weeks and two antibiotics. It doesn't seem to be affecting his hearing, he has a few words and comes or looks at me when I call him, he nods yes and shakes his head no to answer me when I ask him a question (which is adorable in case you were wondering).

Pedi suggested we see an ENT so I made an appt. I know that if he needs tubes it is a minor procedure but of course any kind of procedure makes me nervous as a mom.

Just looking for some experience and what to expect. It seems to only be his one ear that is a problem, but would they put tubes in both? They said they will do a hearing test- how does that work on a 16 month old- what does it entail?

Any other advice or things I should ask the ENT that I am maybe not thinking of?

TIA
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Re: TTM about ear tubes

  • acesupacesup member
    pobrecita said:

    For the hearing test, DS sat on my lap in a sound room. They had different animatronic animals around the room that would move/make noise at the audiologist's command.

    I didn't think his hearing was affected either but the results showed in fact it was.

    The procedure was about 20 min and the recovery was super easy. The worst part honestly was no food or drink for LO after midnight.

    Thanks! Oh I didn't even think of that- he will be super pissed when I don't give him breakfast lol

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  • acesupacesup member
    threelittlewheels said:

    Thin fluid after ear infections is completely normal and usually resolves on its own without antibiotics. Unless the fluid is thick and yellow, they may recommend waiting, but might just go straight to tubes.

    The procedure lasts less than 15 minutes. They will put tubes in both ears even if only one is having problems. They will either put a small ear bud in his ear and monitor the rebounding "sound" or put headphones on our play a sound over a speaker on one side or the other and watch for a response. Neither one is fool proof, but you can get a decent idea of hearing impairment. Don't be shocked if he fails or "refers" in one or both ears, especially if there is fluid present.

    Dd had tubes at 9 months and DS2 is actually going in tomorrow morning for tubes.

    Good luck to your LO tomorrow morning! Thanks for all the info :)
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  • acesupacesup member
    Thanks! I hope if we have to do it's it's super early. As of now he wakes up between 5 and 6 and immediately looks for breakfast. Lol
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    DS had constant fluid in his ears.  It caused painful pressure and effected his hearing.  

    Tubes were by far one of the best parenting decisions I have made.  I can also attest to how wonderful they are as I remember getting them as a child myself.  
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  • steponalego11steponalego11 member
    I sent you a PM.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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  • bensmommy518bensmommy518 member
    DS has his second set of tubes.  He got his first around 18 months becasue of ear infections that were not going away with multiple courses of antibiotics. 

    the "hearing test was simple - the put a plug in his ear that was attached to a computer.  It measured how the ear drum moved under sound waves.  With DS because of the thick fluid behind the eardrum the ear drum was not able to move and therefore they could estimate about 30% hearing loss.  they compared that to trying to hear underwater - everything is muffled sounding - which could (and in our case was) affecting language development. DS could hear and respond to our directions but his expressive speech was delayed. 

    The surgery was quick - 15 mins and they do schedule according to age so youngest kids go first.  Just talk to the scheduler to make sure you are on a day where you LO is first one in.  We sent DS in his PJs and he was fine.  Even walked back to the OR himself with the nurses. 

    One question you can ask the ENT is when/how do they make the decision to do tubes?  Some ENTs like to delay surgery as long as possible, some will go right to tubes.  Find an ENT that's policy fits with what you want.  Ask about the pros and cons of trying a different antibiotic vs doing tubes.  Ask if they have seen other cases like yours and what have their outcomes been with antibiotics vs. tubes. 

    Our ENT does not like to do surgery as a first course of action but by the time we had seen him we were finishing our third round of antibiotics and he said that cases like DS's usually do not resolve without tubes becasue the fluid has been there too long and is too thick to go away on its own.  I felt very comfortable about the decision to do the surgery and have had great results.  

    Good Luck!




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  • acesupacesup member
    Thanks everyone! You guys are awesome!

    @stewgirl‌ PM back :)
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  • acesupacesup member
    Thanks @rvasc‌ I hadn't even thought about loud noises!
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