Ear Tubes - does anyone regret getting them for DC?

[lecach]

DS (11 mths) has had about 9 ear infections. And he seems to be getting them while on antibiotics too. I told the Dr. that I wanted tubes and he said we could do that or try a low dose antibiotic for 6-8 weeks and then see how he does. I spoke to several people at daycare and they said every child that has tried the low dose has still ended up needing tubes. What should we do? Im so afraid that DS is going to have some hearing problems - the way he shakes his head makes me think he has fluid in his ears. Has anyone that has chosen tubes regretted it?

 

[tlbwriter]

Are you seeing a pediatrician, or an ear nose & throat specialist? Our ped sent us to an ENT after several bouts of infections, and it turned out DD had twisted eustachian tubes that couldn't drain properly, so she had fluid whether she had an infection or not. This is apparently a familial trait, as her father remembers having lots of ear problems as a child. Getting tubes made a huge difference. Her speech picked up immediately (she was older than your son), she stopped needing her pacifier constantly (the swallowing helped with ear pressure), and we never regretted it. If you haven't seen an ENT, I'd go that route first. Also, we were worried about general anesthesia, and our ENT was an expert at placing the tubes under local anesthesia.

Oh, and the good news is that she outgrew the need for tubes, and now gets one or two ear infections a year. I'd prefer none, but we take what we can get!

 

[JerJan]

DD now 13 had tubes when she was a baby and I was so glad we did it, she never had too much trouble after that. Now though, she does have ear trouble when she swims and flys. She wants to scuba dive but the pressure seems to be extremely bothersome to her, can't say it was the tubes that caused this or just bad luck. But all in all we have no regrets!

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

We do not regret getting tubes put in our dd's ears at all! She started getting bad ear infections every 3 weeks from the time she was 5 months old till she got the tubes put in at 12 months. My pediatrician also wanted my dd to be on a low-dose antibiotic for several weeks and I told him no. I did not want my baby to suffer any more. So, he referred me to an ENT and as soon as she got her tubes, we saw immediate improvement. I think the tubes fell out about a year and a half later and she's had MAYBE one ear infection since. (By the way, she just turned 6.)

 

[disneymama73]

DD4 got tubes last year, and they just started coming out on their own last month. So the ENT took them out when he did her tonsillectomy. That was Oct. 13th, and she already has a double ear infection. I have a feeling the tubes will have to go in again. She hadn't had a single ear infection since she got the tubes.

DD 16 mos. has had tubes since she was 6 mos. I don't regret getting them for either of my children. I think they are a Godsend.

I would consult an ENT and see what they say, but I wouldn't worry about having it done. My girls were both completely fine right after the procedure.

Good luck!

 

[ksc37]

Our ds was almost 16 months when he got his last June. He was getting an ear infection every 2 weeks or so, and they would only go away with strong antibiotics (which upset his stomach). We tried preventative, milder antibiotics in advance of a family vacation, but they didn't work, and he had an ear infection that made itself very apparent on a 4 hour plane ride (which was no fun for anyone on that plane).

So, after about 6 months of recurring ear infections (and after discovering that his hearing was diminished because of the constant fluid in the ear), he had the surgery. It was stressful, and not something we did lightly, but what a difference. We've had two ear infections since then (it's been 16 months), but they've been much easier on our son... less pain, shorter duration, no antibiotics. The main indication that he has one is that there is some drainage from the ear, which ear drops help to clear up.

I think that if you feel your son is suffering because of the ear infections, or if his hearing has been affected, you should consider the surgery. We have no regrets.

 

[StephMK]

Personally, I think tubes are so much better than trying to treat w/continuous antibiotics. My son had constant infections w/remaining fluid as a baby, got tubes at 1 yr, they fell out after 5 months, then more infections resulting in now being allergic to 2 different kinds of antibiotics. He got tubes again, stayed in for 1 yr, they came out this summer & he's been fine ever since. Our second ENT said the first should have put in longer lasting tubes. He grows really quickly so not sure if that had any effect.

In any case, he's 3.5 and talks up a storm! I think he's finally outgrown the need & the fluid collecting is no longer an issue either. I wish I had pushed for the ENT appt w/o waiting so long the first time. I had told his ped we'd have to invite them for the holidays because we saw them many more times than our own relatives!

 

[cwnhokie]

I never even asked the ped. about tubes. I had read that they were overused and I just thought all kids got ear infections. Finally after being in the drs. office about every other week, if not more, between DS who was almost 3 and DS 1, and rechecks for almost a year, i asked about them. The nurse said we only reccommend seeing the ENT if they have had more than 3 or 4 in a year, she started counting the infections for DS 2.5 and stopped counting at 7, in less than a year. They never slept, they were always on antibiotics that upset their stomachs, and I was always at the drs office. The ENT said their hearing is distorted when they are getting an infection and when they are getting over it and muffled while they have it. I don't know how DS ever learned to talk, he may have been hearing correctly 1 week out of every month. We got them both done on the same day. They were in the OR for less then 5 mins. DS2.5 cried a lot when coming out of the anesethia, but they were both fine, running around by the time we got home. We'll since we got tubes, I feel so out of touch with the friendly folks at the ped. office. I don't see them every week anymore, just a couple times a year. Both of them had one tube fall out after about a year and we go back in 6 months to see if the other ones have fallen out. They have had maybe 5 ear infections combined in the almost 2 years since they got the tubes. And it is so much easier to treat with ear drops than oral antibiotics. Good luck with your decision.

 

[chris7]

My daughter, who is 3 now, has had tubes twice. Absolutely no regrets. First time at a little over a year, and then again about a year later. Each time they only stayed in about 7 months. Even though we had to pay a lot out of pocket I would do it again because our families and her quality of life was so dramatically better when she had them in. If your considering them then you already know the drill... A couple of days of "does she have another one?" before making the dr's appt, then 2 weeks of antibiotics often accompanied by diarrhea, then for us another week of "how come she doesn't seem better?", then back to the dr. to find out that the bug was resistant and we need another antibiotic, two weeks of that then start all over again. Her last pair fell out at the beginning of this summer and she has not had an infection since. Yeah!!!

 

[FourFlans]

DD now 5 got tubes when she was 2. We experienced terrible recurrent ear infections, but because she never saw the same doctor twice in a row (multiple pediatricians in the same practice), we had trouble getting them to pay attention to what was happening. Finally one day I practically stood on my head and convinced the doc that 10 ear infections in 10 months was not good and that her speech was suffering and that I was really afraid of hearing loss. So she sent us to an ENT and when they did the first hearing test I could have just died. DD couldn't hear most of what I could hear (I was in the booth with her on my lap). He scheduled us for tubes that very week. It was scary for her and us, she clung to me in the hospital outpatient area, but they gave her something in a cup of Coke to settle her a bit before they took her away. When the doc came out he said it was amazing how much fluid he drained off before inserting her tubes and that we should notice a huge difference. A few weeks later, at the followup visit, they tested her hearing again and it was greatly improved. But she will never fully recover all her hearing.....she lost about 5-7% permanently. Docs said her speech would recover too, that she was hearing others verbalize like she was under water, and since she tried to mimic that sound her speech was very unclear. Well, she is now 5, in kindergarten, but has a weekly tutor that is helping. She's been through speech therapy also. A stranger can now understand 90% of what she says, but it's been a long road.

So just don't wait too long. While any kind of surgery is serious, and you're right to be concerned, if the antibiotics aren't working, don't wait!

 

[mcdisney2005]

My son would get ear infections and we wouldn't notice it until we went to the dr office for check ups. This continued until he finally got a double infection and spiked a temp. After trying 5 different meds to get rid of the infection they sent us to an ENT. We met with an older ENT that made us do the maint medicine and 1 week before the followup appt, the medicine ran out and we had another double. So when we met with the surgeon, I insisted that we have tubes. This was at 13 months. They ended up putting one back in at 14 months as it had fell out. My son had problems with keeping them in, but they sure did help when they were in there.

We had to change ENT's 4 times and the 4th one has been wonderful. At our first appt with him, he told us we were too patient and that he wanted his adenoids & tonsills out. That set lasted 2 years until the ENT recommended we take them out. So we paid to have them taken out last August, and on the 2 month anniversary we had another infection. So this March we paid to have them put back in again. But at least now we are all getting sleep and he can hear at school. He is 5 now.

Let me know if you have other questions as I have been through most medicines and we did try a Chiropracter before we put the first set in.

 

[TiggerStac]

My DS had ear infections...but was never quite at the "guidelines" for tubes. Then when he turned 2, they were nonstop. He would just come off meds and have another. He wasn't even 8 weeks old when he had his first. We did try the low dose antibiotic and didn't even run the whole course of that, before scheduling his appointments for the tubes.
Unfortunately, he still got them with the tubes (but that's how my brother and I were) but not nearly as many. He just had an appointment on Friday and 1 ear is falling out the other is still in place, he had them done in 7/04. There is no doubt by his pedi and ent that he will need them again, but they are also taking his tonsils at the same time, as they are very enlarged. But there is no emergency right now on those...so we will wait until tubes again.
And the worse part of it all...he is allergic to augmentin..the med they made for ear infections!! Typical!

 

[MelodyMack]

I had tubes put in when I was in the first grade (teacher noticed I was having difficulties). I have no hearing problems 20 something years later...

 

[HenDuck]

I won't go into detail except that to say that the difference for DS (now 5) was drastic and immediate. He could hear the slightest sound after the tubes were put in.

Our pediatrician said that they usually "watch" the situation for 3-6 months before suggesting tubes. But at the 3 month mark, I had already decided to take DS to an ENT. Luckily, the pediatrician thought it was time too.

The ENT took one look into one ear and said, "yes, he needs the tubes."

DS has only had one cold in the last 7 months since the ear tubes were put in.

You're the parent, take control of your child's health and demand the best care.

We have no regrets.

Good luck and best wishes!

 

[jeanie]

DS, now 12 got his first pair of tubes when he was about 2 after atleast 6-7 ear infections. He had problems with his eustatian tubes and he contantly had fluid. We could tell when they fell out because he would almost immediatley get another ear infections and the next cold season he would get another pair. His hearing drastically improved with the tubes. Without the tubes he said it sounds like he had a barrel over his head. When he was around ten he hadn't had tubes for a few years because the ear infections slowed down and we decided to do antibiotics instead. But slowly the pressure/fluid slowly built up in his ear, he actually blew his eardrum out! The ENT decided to insert a tube that would leave a small hole in the ear drum even after the tubes fell out (kind of like a permenant tube)
Since then he has not had another ear infection(knock wood) and believe it or not his hearing loss is very minimal. After the last hearing test at the ENT I found out he can hear me, he just choses to ignore me! This minimal hearing loss is due to scarring that he incurred from having multiple sets of tubes but without them in my sons' case it would have been much worse if he never had them..


I do remember the time we took him home after his first set of tubes. We were in Boston and the traffic noise was pretty loud. His head was turning every which way, everything caught his attention! It was pretty amazing.

Each child is different but I would definately talk to a pediatric ENT to see if tubes are the right way to go for your child... I am glad I did.

 

[3AmigosMom]

So glad you're getting all this positive feedback about tube insertions. Our 3 DC have all needed tubes--our oldest (6) has had them 3 times. The OPers are absolutely correct. They don't know exactly why, but the overall health of the kids improve dramatically!! We used to visit the peds office at least 1x a month, but after the surgery we made it all the way to annual physicals. Being a RN in the OR, I do want to stress tho, that eventhough the surgeon will tell you it's a 2 minute procedure, in most cases (involving children) they do receive general anesthesia.

 

[staci]

We were so glad we did it!

DS nursed until 15 months, at 15 1/2 months he got his first ear infection. It lasted for two months. NOTHING could help the little guy, it just kept coming back.

We were so nervous about the procedure and all, but I am so glad that we did it! He has not had a single problem since the day he got them. The plane to FL was fine too, and his doctor said that the flight likely would not bother him with his tubes. She was right!

DS did cry solidly for 3 hours in the hospital after waking up. I was a WRECK! He was screaming, bawling, gasping, choking, almost throwing up, etc. I kept freaking out at the nurses to do something for him as I thought he was in pain. After 3 hours, they finally discharged him even though he was still unconsolable. By the time we got to the car, he was calm. As we left the parking garage, he and daddy were actually laughing and playing peek a boo. So it was just the hospital that was freaking him out! I guess he just wanted to stress me out! But really, by the time we got home (5 minutes from the hospital) he was himself, and he played all day like nothing had happened.

I will not think twice about getting them for the next child, should it be necessary.

 

[num1tigerfan]

I would also recommend tubes. Our DD had constant infections from 2 mo on. We had to change Dr's due to insurance were at the Dr every 2 weeks. Finally after she kept losing weight (only 15 lbs at 9 mo) I took her back to her pediatician whom immediately began checking her hearing and monitoring this. Within a few weeks time she sent us to an ENT and 3 weeks later the tubes were put in. She was 15 mo then. She could immediately hear sounds she couldn't hear before. Surgery with a baby was scary and she ended up having a terrible infection they found while inserting the tubes. I think the Dr had us on speed dial as we were in contact several times a day for about a week while the handled this drainage/infection. Since she has only about 1-2 infections per year and has had no permanent hearing loss.

 

[JayR101]

I have had several experiences with ear tubes, both as a fathe and a paramedic. They are wonderful, the surgery was a snap, and the infections cleared right up. Not getting them though, you run the risk of infection speading, mastoiditis, which is a bad condition but surgically treated as well. I personaly think the antibiotics set children up for future problems and in the future may not work as well; among other problems! I'd pose the question though to the Mayo clinic website doctor who specializes in this. They are a bundle of knowledge. Also find a good ENT doc. Ask around! They would do the surgery anyway.

 

[gary4jenn]

One Caveat-
My daughter had them at 9 months and they were still in at age 5. We went to the ENT office and he removed them in office and it took 2-1/2 years for the one hole to close and the other ear drum has to be graphed (2 hour surgery) to close the hole and she cannot go swimming until she has the surgery.

So if you do it (and I am still glad she did), be careful to have them removed if in too long. She still would get ear infections- at last count 27 by age 8. We found some were from lake water getting stuck back there or from getting bath water in her ears.

We found that limiting her milk helped and she would drink rice milk in the winter season as she exzema breakouts then too.

My 2nd daughter had them earlier at 7 months and only a few ear infections after that and they fell out on their own and her ears are fine.

As a former daycare director, ear infections are extremely common and tubes are as well.