CHIROPRACTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just went through 5 antibiotics w/ my son before 15 month old and they threatened tubes. My chiro told me to bring him in and he has totally got ridden of all the fluid. He said he has prevented every kid from getting tubes. He does this odd pull technique and you can hear the fluid drain. Not fun...but works!!!!!
I would find a chiropractor that works on kids....worth a try. He also told me that tubes DOES NOT help fluid drain off the ear. It only EQUILIZES PRESSURE. I know that some people have success with tubes, but I thought it was worth a try to prevent surgery.
Also, I just saw a study done on TV and they said that decongestants DO NOT help ear infections that we are all over medicating our kids. I would look online to try and find that information. My son can't have them anyway because of a heart condition, but I thought that was really interesting. I wonder if our pediatricians keep up on that stuff like they are supposed to.
good luck!