Tubes for Inner Ears

Tubes!!!!!!!!! I think they are the best. My daughter will be 5 in April and she had tubes put in twice once at the age of 1 and then 3. From birth she had so many double ear infections. I mean even Christmas Day (8 monthes old) we were at the doctors with her having ear infections. The doctors normally say so many ear infections within the first year of life they should get tubes.... But anyway once my husband and I decided to get the tubes in her ears, we have not had any problems. Her hearing as not been damaged her speech is great and she has not had ear infections at all having the tubes. She had to go back in for a second set only because it was pushing out and we knew she would still benefit by having them in. It was one of the best decesions we made for her at such a young age. Good luck with what you decide on. Jsust keep in mind that it's whats best for the child and sometimes holistic approach does not always work when it comes to certain things and you don't want to risk damaging the ear drum, or keep the child on meds every other month if you can avoid it. Hard decesion, but you'll make the right choice. : )

We're struggling with our 10 month old and ears now. My first 2 never had ear problems. My little one is on her 4th antibiotic since mid-Feb for ears that just won't clear up. They start to, but quickly return a day or two after the meds are complete.

My husband and I prefer the holistic approach as well when possible. We're not thrilled about all of these antibiotics either. We have also been seeing our chiropractor regularly to have her adjusted - mostly during the 3rd round (though probably really the same one). He's been focusing on her neck and even does an adjustment on her ears. She was adjusting a lot at first but by Friday she was doing much better and no signs of the infection either. She was done with meds Fri as well. With no meds and no adjustments Sat or Sun, she was up last night screaming again. Ped this am said ear infection is there though not as severe as last time. We're trying 4th antibiotic along with more chiropractor visits (went there directly after peds!). We're hoping that by starting off not as bad, we can nip it this time. The other dr we saw for the last infection said we're close to tubes. But she was reluctant because of the time of year - said not as likely to continue with ear trouble through the summer so she'd really prefer to just get this one healed and hope to make it at least through the summer without tubes. She left open the possibility that if she struggles in the fall, it would be a different story and probably a good idea to go for it.

adults even get tubes.

go to ENT and see what they say. Don't rule it out at all.

Also get your son's hearing and speech tested.

Well we have surgery set up for April 2 for my 3 year-old for tubes.he has had ear inefections(6 in the last 4months)and the requirements are 8 in a year.
When it comes to ears and infections that's something you don't want to mess around with.Because they waited so long with my oldest he has some hearing damage and his speech,we have gotten help for him but the damage was done already....
Is it going to be more a PIA this time of year with tubes,yes but i really can't(and won't)start fall/winter off like we did last year.Plus the fact that an ear infection caused my youngest(the one who's getting tubes)to febrile seizures(we never knew he had an infection...he spiked a high fever 104.5 and had seizure)so when it comes to ears and a doc wanting to do tubes i am for it...it's a 20min procedure.
Good luck

Hi M.,

When I was 7 years old, I got tubes in my ears because I suffered from so many ear infections. My speech was definitely slowed because of the ear infections. The only person who could understand me was my brother. From what I remember of the operation process, it really wasn't that bad (from a kid's point of view). It was definitely the right choice for me. From that day til now (over 30 years), the only ear pain I have ever gotten is a twinge here and there(nothing major). My speech finally got fairly normal in a year or so (took a while to realize how words were really pronounced rather than how my damaged ears had heard them previously).

So I would say that if the doctor thinks your son would benefit from the tubes I would definitely have it done. It will save him so much pain in the future from more ear infections and also the trouble of having to "relearn" words.

L.

My 20 month old son just got tubes last week. My daughter who is now almost 4 had tubes at the same age. So far they have been WONDERFUL. My daughter has only had one infection since (still the occasional cold) she had tubes. (She stared getting constant ear infections after starting daycare) And now that my son has tubes our family is sleeping again. I don't know much about the holistic approach but the surgery is less than 10 minutes, and you are only in the hospital for a total of 2 hours. The most you have to do at home is give them tylenol for any pain and ear drops if your child had fluid or infection present. I think it is the best decision by far and well worth it.

My son is 2 1/2 and there are things that a natural method is best for...I don't think a childs ears are one of them. The pain alone that comes from ear infections is too much for these little guys and girls to handle. Not to mention the potential for a perforated ear drum; which happened to my son at 9 months because our then ped told us he didn't need antibiotics...12 hours later we were in the ER and his ear drum ruptured. The pain for them has got to be bad...the risk of hearing loss...maybe getting an opinion of a speech therapists would help. My son is now in speech therapy...and she totally agrees with his tubes...he is on his second pair...and the difference in him is amazing, best of luck!

Hey M.,
I am a firm believer in holistic approaches for lots of ailments. But being a sufferer of ear/nose/throat problems myself and my 13 month old following in my footsteps I believe that ear problems are to serious to wager on. I have had severe allergies since birth and so does my son. We are going to an allergist to see if we can get something done about the ear problems and stuffiness. If i were you i would try whatever it takes to make him more comfortable and if its putting tubes in his ears do it! Ear infections are painful and miserable....holistic is wonderful when it is something that is easily currable....but ears and sinuses are not...if your bf doesnt want tubes...try going to an allergist or ENT doctor and get alternatives but tubes have helped me. Its all about making the kid comfortable....GOOD LUCK!

We just had tubes put in our daughter's ears at 16 months. We timed the operation (done at Children's Hospital North) and it only took 8 minutes! About 10 minutes or so later, she was awake and we were able to see her in the recovery room, then we took her home maybe 20 minutes later. She was upset on the way home, but by the time we got there she was fine - eating, playing, happy. I had been nervous about having her put under anesthesia, but she bounced right back from it.

Since she got the tubes (3 weeks ago), her speech therapist as well as my husband and I have already noticed that she is imitating more sounds. She has been delayed in both expressive and receptive language development, but I am hopeful that she will catch up now. I definitely recommend getting the tubes put in at a young age, before a child falls too far behind in their speech. I do not regret doing it at all.