If your child had ear tubes, how long did they stay in?

[BethanyF]

Im glad this thread is here....I had tubes put in a year ago this week and they havent come out yet. I was at DS's school last week and asked the nurse to see if they were still there, and they were.
I think mine are working their way out....the inside of my ears itch like crazy. Has anyone else noticed that?

As far as plugs, the doctor told me no plugs were needed for showering or swimming since that water is generally bacteria free. Flying is ok too. But if I were to go swimming in lakes, ponds or the ocean I needed to wear plugs.

FYI....even if you dont wear plugs when you swim, the pressure of swimming underwater is really, really painful. So if your kids have the tubes and like to swim underwater, have them wear plugs or tell them to be careful.

 

[Nicolepa]

I also wanted to ask if any of you could actually see the ear tubes (while they were still in properly) when looking down your child's ear canal?

I could see them in one ear but not the other. But I had to be looking for them, they are really hard to see. Just a casusal look in the ear they were not visible.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

I could see them in one ear but not the other. But I had to be looking for them, they are really hard to see. Just a casusal look in the ear they were not visible.

I actually just pulled DD's earlobes down a bit and I could seem them as plain as day in both ears. I never looked for them before, so I don't know if they were always this plainly visible My gut is telling me that DD's ped. is probably right that they are working their way out already. I can't believe that they would only last for 6 months, though. Such a bummer!