Tubes in Ears - Summitville,IN

My daughter has had tubes for 2 years and i still use plugs. My doc said that a lot of kids get really bad ear pains when they get water in their ears. Once the tubes come out you should be able to stop using plugs as long as he still doesn't have ear problems.

Does he still have the tubes? I had tubes when I was little and I can remember using the wax in my ears for what seemed like forever! Even after that I had to put drops in my ears after I went swimming. I don't know if they still make them, but they were drops calles Swimmers Ear or something like that. If I got water trapped in my ear, it got it out somehow. I would guess that he probably has to wear them if he goes swimming, but not in the bath or shower. Check with your ENT to be sure though. I'm surprised they didn't give you a better guideline on that.

Hi K.,
My daughter had tubes put in her ears in Feb. 2007. The ENT told us not to worry about ear plugs or getting water in her ears. He said that was the advise that they gave years ago but not anymore. My daughter has never had any problems with water getting in her ears and she has never worn ear plugs. Ask your sons ENT.
L.

You will need to ask your Doctor. But My sister still uses them. Even though the tubes are gone and she is 20 years old, she still has trouble when water gets into her ears. I hope I helped a little, But No one will know for sure until you try it without the Ear plugs. But First ask your Doctor if it is Okay to try. Good Luck and God Bless

We were told we didn't have to use ear plugs. My son has had tubes twice now and he has never once had ear plugs in. But, he also never goes underwater. Our doctor said when you shower you don't get enough water in your ear to make a difference, and if you bath only dump cups on water over his head to wet it and rise it, otherwise keep the head out of water. In the summer, pools are safe to go underwater in without ear plugs, anything without chlorine is not.
Tubes tend to fall out in a year. Do you have any check up appointments? Or when you go to the ped. ask them if they are still in. If they are not in, it's safe to go under without ear plugs.

The ears heal right away, there is no need for plugs.

I was reading the other responses and it really sounds like every doctor is different. I know from my experience (both of my children had tubes-one even had two sets before the age of 3) our ENT said to use plugs when they have tubes, but once the tubes are out, then you do not have to use them anymore.

Hi K..

Both of my two oldest sons had tubes put in their ears when they were 2 and 5. Their doctor didn't want us to use plugs unless we were going in murky water or they were going to be deeper than 8 feet under. So, based on that, I'd say no plugs is fine. They are now 6 and 9 and didn't have any trouble whatsoever after getting tubes and not using plugs.

Good luck.