Ear Tube Advice

One of my sons had ear tubes one eventually fell out about a year or so later, there was no scarring and no ear infections after they were gone as for follow-up care you can't swim or get them wet in the shower but they will give you ear plugs to put on for the shower. I highly recommend it.

C.,
My oldest son had them put on when he was one year old and he is now 11. It worked wonders! Not one ear infection after the tubes were in. You don't have to do anything the tubes for the most part fall out by themselves. I would recommend it to any one that has a child with multiple ear infections.

I can only speak as a person who got tubes when I was 5 (they waited until you were older "back then"). I remember the extreme pain of chronic ear infections and had problems with softened tooth enamel due to the perpetual antibiotic.

I had tubes put in at age 5 and can count on one hand the number of ear infections in the ensuing 25 years. The only hearing damage that I have is from the infections and ruptures that occurred prior to the tubes.

Even 25 years ago, there was no real recovery period and the tubes fell out themselves. Good luck and know that this will reduce the pain, illness and scar tissue development for your son.

Hi,
I got ear tubes for my son a year ago, I am so happy, It was very easy , no pain no problem and no infection after that do not worry is very good thing to do.

C., if it is for chronic ear infections, I recommend holding off and using garlic ear drops that you can buy in the health food store. This should eliminate the ear infections-it did for my 2 year old who had chronic ear infections.

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Best thing we ever did for my daughter. She is now 20 years old and had them done when she was 1. She had occasional ear infections but nothing like before. At one point prior to the surgery she was on antibiotics 7 months straight. I was as nervous as you were and I remember going down the cafeteria for coffee and by the time we returned 20 minutes later it was over. They used gas to put her to sleep and she was a little cranky coming out of it but other then that she had no pain and was fine,

Our daughter was 9 mos when she began her bout w/double ear infections - the ins co was the worst - we couldn't have the tubes put in until she had so many infections w/in a certain period of time - she was 17 mos when she had them put in & to this day (she's almost 12) she hasn't had an ear infection. Prior to going to the OR they will give a liquid medication to get things going a bit. They allow one parent to go into the OR w/the child until they get things underway w/the anesthesia & all. My husband was able to stay until our daughter fell asleep - from there we gave her tylenol at a set time just so it wouldn't wear off & just had to be sure water didn't get into her ears. They make really awesome things as far as visors for taking baths & we ordered a really nice set of ear plugs for her during the summer. The hardest part of it all was Sami realizing that it was okay to go under water after a while. As far as the tubes falling out, we could see them because they had come down into the opening in her ear. She had her tubes for at least 9 years I'd say. It is hard to just sit while you wait for them to bring your child back out, but I swear to you, it is such a great thing. I've had double ear infections at times, and I can't imagine little one's having to thru the same pain. Good luck!

Hi C.! Make sure the Dr takes your sons adenoids out. Many times the fluid seems to be gone (after taking meds) however, it actually flowed to the adenoids. It eventually flows back into the ear and you have another ear infection. Back and forth, back and forth. Removing them will most likely insure the end of this saga for yourself and your son. Hope this helps. Good luck to you :o)

My son got them at 19mos. Two reasons chronic ear infections always on antibiotics and becasue his ears were so full of liquid he couldn't hear well. He also had his adnoids taken out at same time. Now he is almost 7 never had an infection and his hearing is perfect and sleeps better as well. It's the parents that suffer more becasue of our worry. Especially with the adnoids I tought we'd have a harder rewcoup time. My son was up and playing within the same day of the procedure. Good Luck! A. B

My son had tubes put in about 5 months ago (approx. 16 mos old) and it has really helped with ear infections, etc. The doctor also took a look at his adenoids while he was under and shaved them back a bit as well. Apparently enlarged adenoids can contribute to ear infections. While the tubes are definitely worth it, I will warn you that the day of the surgery can be pretty miserable. I went into the OR with my son and was there when they put him under. It was very traumatic for me to be a part of that process and sometimes I wonder if it would've been better for my husband to go in instead. My son also had some difficulty coming out of the anesthesia so be prepared for at least a few rough hours. My son's ears were so infected when he had the surgery that he actually was pretty sick for a few days following the surgery as his body fought off the last ear infection. We ended up keeping him home from daycare for 3 days due to fever, etc. He had to go on antibiotics for at least a week following the surgery and then needed antibiotic eardrops because one of the tubes got clogged by the infection. I wasn't prepared for him to be sick for so long following the surgery so I am just sharing this with you so you aren't caught by surprise in case the same thing happens with your son.

Good luck. I hope it goes well.

My son is 26 months old and on his second set of tubes. The best thing we ever did for him. He would have nonstop ear infections and constantly on Antibiotics. The first set fell out - don't know exactly when, but we put a second set in. Not one ear infection since the putting them in. We have had no after effects or home care - just drops in the ears after the procedure. It is a quick and simple procedure. I didn't even have time to go to the coffee shop and back before he was done. Definitely great!!
Good Luck!

Tubes in the ears have been done for decades. Most if not all problems can be anticipated because of years of experience. Be certain a specialist with a history of doing so, performs the procedure - ask what the MD's success rate has been and for how long of a time-frame.

Tubes are an aggravation. It is one more expense in cost and time-wise.

Kids are awful about keeping the lambs wool plugs and bathing caps on.

Yes, they fall out, for various reasons. A big one is that the kid is growing and sizing needs changes.

And yes, you just might have to pay with money you had hoped to use for recreational expenses.

It still boils down to this: the risk becoming hearing impaired is greater. Do you really want to subject your child to being under-educated, under-employed with fewer lifestyle choices as an adult because you decided against tubes? Being hearing impaired or deaf is no cake-walk through life.

When tubes are inserted, you keep the appointments in a timely manner. You watch for side-affects.

As a deaf adult, I can honestly say to you - why place your child at risk when there is a legitimate solution?