Son seeing an ENT doctor tomorrow

[pickleo]

So, we finally have an appt. with an ENT doctor to talk about my son's 5 ear infections in 6 months; looking into getting tubes. Can anyone tell me what to expect at this evaluation for tubes appt. tomorrow? And then, what if tubes are in his future? What to expect then? BTW...my son is 18 months old!

 

[ladyv]

Expect that the ENT will look at DC's records, discuss the ear history of your child with you, look at DC's ears. Then s/he will tell you how the ear is supposed to work, what the surgery does, what it entails, and answer any questions you may have.

And if you don't have a copay or fabulous insurance, expect to pay through the roof just to talk to them for 15 minutes. Ours cost $250 and we didn't end up getting the surgery. One of the more expensive conversations in my lifetime.

Our pedi tells us that the ears typically mature around the age of 2 where they no longer need tubes because the ear will be mature enough to drain on it's own. You really have to weigh whether surgery is right for your DC since he is already 18 months and we are coming into the summer when ear infections typically slow down. I would not expect that the ENT will dissuade you from the surgery, they'll probably say that your DC is a good candidate. After all, the surgery is routine with very low risk factors and done as an office procedure. YOU need to weigh whether the surgery is right for your DC. I would encourage you to do some intensive research and talk to your pedi before making that decision.

 

[taylor3297]

My dd received her first set of tubes one week before her first birthday. She had 9 ear infections in the first year. When her tubes fell out when she was 3, she developed an 3 ear infections within two months. So, second set of tubes were put in. She just recently had the tubes taken out and so far she is doing fine. Oh, they also took out her adnoids when they put in the first set of tubes also.

After having tubes, she did not get as many ear infections, but when she did, the infections did hurt anymore because her ears would drain the fluid out. Also, the infections would seem to go away quicker because besides taking an oral antibiotic, she would have drops also.

 

[Ninniemommy]

My son had tubes put in when he was 18 months (June 07). He had constant fluid behind in his ears & we could not get the infections to stop (smal ear canals). The ENT was great, but took a while to get the surgery scheduled. Surgery was quick & easy--I am so glad he had it done. It took all of maybe 15 minutes from the time we sat down in the waiting area to when they came out to get us. He came out of anesthesia well & did fantastically!!! He had no problems after that. He still has the tubes to date (they are to fall out in 6 months-1yr) so we may have to have them surgically removed, but doc said that is nothing. It makes such a difference when they get them!! Good luck!!

 

[JaimeK]

We just went through this with our 8-month old. A few things to keep in mind - they base the decision to put in tubes on your child's history. So they are likely to look at the chart say Yep lots of infections, tell you about the surgery and get it scheduled. You may get a better discussion on whether or not to get them from your pediatrician.

We did get them. My son got his first infection at 5 months and they never once fully cleared. They either had fluid or were reinfected in the many, many follow-up checkups we had.

They also did a hearing test with the ENT visit (even for a baby!)

 

[jana616]

My ODS got them when he was a little over 2. He hadn't had that many ear infections, maybe 3-4 over those two years. But he was in speech therapy for delayed speech, and the ST thought maybe his excess fluid was partly responsible. So on our visit, they looked in his ears, did LOTS of hearing tests, and then recommended them. We decided to do it, and two days later he was saying new words much more clearly. For us it was totally worth it. One thing to note...try to go to a pediatric ENT. Ours was great with my son, and I felt a lot more comfortable knowing that ears his size were all she worked on!

 

[Aristomommy]

Both of my children saw an ENT and we decided on tubes. The decision was made based to # of ear infections and their cause. Since both had chronic fluid in the ears, mild hearing loss as a result and we wanted to minimize the amount of antibiotics they were prescribed, the tubes made sense. DD got a second set of tubes about 2 years later when the first set fell out and the ear infetions contined.

The procedure is routine and simple, but I would suggest doing it at a children's hospital if that is available. DDs first set was put in a regural outpatient surgery center and the children's hospital has been better about making everything child centered. DS was explained everything by the staff, a child life specialist came by to practice breathing through a mask and the staff was very understanding of children's issues. Of course it's not absolutely necessary, but DS is very shy and fearful in new situations (esp. medical) and they really eased his anxiety.

DS still has his tubes in a year later, and his hearing improved immediately by the fluid draining as it should. It was beginning to affect his speech, but we were able to correct it.

 

[tam626]

My son is almost 4 & just got tubes a month ago. They tested his hearing & discussed what the surgery involved. It only took the ENT like 5 minutes to do the surgery. It;s very quick & painless. They told us his may stay in 3 months or 6 months or longer. There is no age when they don't need them anymore. Everyone is different. My cousin's boy is 18 & just had some put in a year ago. The ENT did mention some scarring on the one eardrum from infections. I feel it's way better for their hearing to get the tubes than to wait & see if it will get better. Good luck.

 

[krosmith]

Hi,

My son is brain-injured and his adnoids grew so much they blocked his eustatian (sp) tubes. He had so much fluid build up, he was diagnosed deaf. He had the tubes in and his adnoids out at the same time. A bit more complicated then just the tubes. But he still came home from the hospital after a few hours. The tubes were supposed to fall out after two years, but stayed in his ears for 5 years, before they both fell out. After the blockage was removed and the fluid drained, Edward had no more need of hearing aids. The tubes are really helpful, if needed. I agree with a previous post, that if you can do the surgery at a children's hospital to do that. They work with children all the time, and the equipment for their size is readily available. My son had one surgery at a non-children's hospial and they had to jury rig his respiratory equipment. I'm all for going to the experts whenever possible.

Good Luck,

Kathryn

 

[CLEO Z]

It is so interesting that I see this post today of all days! In a couple of hours we head to the ENT to see if DS 5 is going to get his third set of ear tubes.

We really debated that first set and later wished we had done it sooner. My son was having hearing issues and behavior problems. My dad also had ear issues as a child. He ended up losing most of his hearing in one ear and some loss in the other due to burst ear drums. He never learned to swim because of this. My son's head shape is just like my dad's. My dad told me that even when not infected, going around with your ears full of fluid made him very irritable and easily upset.

The tubes required little care after the first week. We only need to take care to avoid untreated water such as lakes or ponds. Our Dr. ok'd the pool and ocean. He wears no plugs at all. He is still touchy about getting his hair washed, but spends more time under water than above it when in the pool. Go figure!

My niece also had ear infection issues and her Dr didn't believe in tubes or antibiotics. She ended up having a burst eardrum and had to wear a molded ear plug anytime she showered or swam. They could not do surgery to repair it until she was 13 and had grown enough. It was a pain for her and her parents.

I agree with the earlier poster that said the ENT is going to be pro-tubes and a pediatrician is more likely to give both sides of the debate. They will likely use this device that can measure hearing with air. Its painless and quick.

Good Luck!

 

[LWatson]

My son just got tubes in April after 10 ear infections in 1yr. It was a quick meeting w/ the ENT and I explained about the ear infections. We scheduled the surgery that day. 2wks later we had the surgery that took all of like 10min. DS2 seems to be doing better...no ear infections since. We do have a supply of ear plugs on hand though for swimming and baths though. Its really easy. He is now 18m old.

There was an 18yr old getting tubes in his ears that same day too, so there isnt a stopping age either. Ear infections can lead to burst ear drums which is much worse. So if you need the surgery then go for it. Remember ENTs SPECIALIZE in things like this, so they usually know what they are talking about. Our son wasnt talking b4 the surgery and now talks very well and clearly. His Pedi says its because of the tubes and he is finally able to hear and repeat.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

My 5yo DS just got tubes put in his ears last week. He didn't have frequent ear infections, but he was definitely having problems hearing and has speech delays. This is my second child to get tubes, the first one was also 5 when he got his and he didn't have frequent ear infections either, just alot of hearing problems. His tubes fell out, but when he was 9 he started having trouble hearing again because of fluid build-up so they put tubes in and took his adnoids out. They've fallen out again and he's been fine, but I still don't think his hearing is 100%.

At my 5yo's ENT appt. a couple weeks ago they tested his hearing and looked in his ears. The doctor did NOT push me to get tubes, he said we could either get tubes or he could put him on a decongestent and antibiotics and check him again in a month to see if that cleared up the fluid. I chose to get tubes because I didn't want to wait a month to see if it was helping, I feel enough damage has been done by waiting this long and if we don't get tubes he would have been in the same position after he was off the meds because the fluid was from allergies. He still put him on meds for the two weeks leading up to the surgery to keep the fluid from getting infected.

So from my experience 2 years old has not been the magic number, if you're ENT doctor recommends them I would give it serious consideration to avoid further hearing problems and speech delays.

 

[Kallista]

Both of my sons had tubes placed at around a year old.

Our pediatrician referred them for tubes. The ENT appointment -- the ENT guy came in, looked at their ears, and took a history from us. He told us they were eligible for tubes and we talked about the surgery. He left and we talked to the nurse about scheduling surgery. She scheduled it and called us with a date.

It was an out-patient procedure under a general at our local hospital. Each time, my son was required to have nothing by mouth after midnight. We took the earliest surgery appointment we could because "no food" is hard on a baby/toddler. We had to be at the hospital at 7:00 am. The hospital checked us into a room in the out-patient surgery center. I dressed my son for surgery (diaper and a shirt that the hospital gave us) and then a nurse came and took the baby from me. About 15 minutes later, the nurse returned with a groggy baby. I put him on my lap. The baby woke up about 5 minutes later and I fed him some apple juice in a baby bottle. They monitored his vitals and made sure he could keep the food down and sent us home some time later. I don't remember how long we stayed in recovery, but we were home by noon.

The surgery is simple. They give the baby a general, the surgeon makes a small hole in the ear, suctions the fluid out and then inserts the tube. It's very quick.

For most kids, the tubes fall out as they grow.

 

[sohappy]

My oldest got 4 or 5 infections in a few months (more than likely one infection that wouldn't go away). We saw the ENT but decided against the tubes as he was 18 months old and going into the summer months. He never had another issue. I feel that we made the right choice here to wait and see. If he had continued to have infections over the summer or they started back up in the winter, we would have gotten the tubes no questions.

My youngest (poor kid) had such terrible infections. They would come on so quickly and so strongly his ear drums would rupture. He had 8 or 9 ruptures (basically every 2 weeks from around 5 months) before he was 9 months old. We had tubes put into his ears. He still had several more infections but they were minimal- just drops in the ears and they would clear up. We had them checked a year later and they were just about to fall out. Well, they did fall out later that week and the ruptures started back up again. After a few ruptures, we met with the ENT again. We had another set of tubes put in and his adenoids removed at that time. We haven't had any issues since then. His tubes fell out a few months ago (he is now 4).

I have never heard anyone say that they regretted the decision to get tubes.

 

[TheDizMom]

I don't think I need to add more to the what happens senario, but I can add to the what if they're in his future. My DS was exactly the same as your son and the same age when he got his first set of tubes. I am a strong proponent of doing them. My DS went from barely speaking, and what he did say was garbled, to speaking clearly and very soon had a huge vocabulary. I really think that when you have ears constantly filled with fluid it's like hearing under water and you just can't learn words and how they truly sound that way. You also risk the possibility of some permanent hearing loss. My BIL's cousin refused to do her son and he now had permanent hearing loss and needs a hearing aid. It is such a minor surgery, though I know it's really scary to think of your 18 month old having even the most minor surgery, and takes 15-20 minutes. My son did end up having to have a second set at about 5 because after the first set fell out and around 4, unusually long for tubes, he began to get infections again. When he had his tonsils out at 8 they were removed, again they stayed in a really long time , and hasn't had an ear infection since. I know it's something you would want to avoid if you can, but if your ENT recommends them, I would do it without hesitation. Just my 2 cents

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Jake was just diagnosed with his 5th ear infection in the last 6 months and his pediatrician gave us a referral to the ENT.

We have a family history of chronic ear infections, so this didn't surprise me, but you can't help but feel bad, ya know? My mom, along with my brothers, sister and myself, all had tubes as children. The surgery is quick and painless and he'll be feeling fine in a matter of hours!

GOOD LUCK!

 

[CLEO Z]

It is so interesting that I see this post today of all days! In a couple of hours we head to the ENT to see if DS 5 is going to get his third set of ear tubes.

My update is that at our appt, DS 5 still had fluid in his ear and his hearing in one ear is bad. He'll be getting tubes and his tounsils and adnoids out next month. His tounsils almost touch and he snores. I'm not looking forward to it, but at least the board have a post with ideas on what to eat post surgery!

How did your appt go Pickleo?

 

[RALuck]

My update is that at our appt, DS 5 still had fluid in his ear and his hearing in one ear is bad. He'll be getting tubes and his tounsils and adnoids out next month. His tounsils almost touch and he snores. I'm not looking forward to it, but at least the board have a post with ideas on what to eat post surgery!

QUOTE]
My DD had her second set of tubes at age 4 (first set at 2) and the adenoids removed then as well. I think removing the adenoids really solved most of her problems. One tube came out much earlier than the ENT wanted but she only had maybe one ear infection after that. She is now almost 7 & and the ENT visits and horrible ear pain are thankfully a distant memory....

 

[muppetmom]

My DD had tubes put in her ears and her adenoids removed when she was about 18 months. At the time she really didn't talk at all...very quiet...maybe a handful of words that she used. My Dad who was a Professor of Speech Pathology was strongly in favor (I mean really really strongly...nagging type) of getting it done as soon as possible. So, we set up the surgery, drove into San Diego Children's Hospital. Had it done and we were out of there by 2 or so in the afternoon. As we are driving home, we pass by a McDonalds. From the back of the car we hear a voice saying, "I want to go there". My DH nearly drove off the road. It was my DD wanting french fries! From that day on she talked in full sentences. Very weird!

Also, my Dad said that sometimes when kids get their adenoids/tonsils out they will talk through their nose for a while. I know my DD did. But, eventually she started talking more normally. I was ready to panic when I realized that she was talking through her nose, but he assured me it was not uncommon.

I will send prayers and thoughts your way!

 

[Madzac]

Hi there! Hope your visit with the ENT went well!

I am another big supporter of ear tubes! My DD had no troubles, then DS4 had 8 infections his first year and tons of fluid that stayed. I did NOT want to do tubes and I was the one to drag my feet when my pediatrician really encouraged. Our ENT encouraged it as well, but never forced and gave me a hard time when I wanted to wait for it. He did get the tubes at 13 months and it was so easy as many have described! I wished I had done it sooner. He was hearing and talking better immediately and we ha NO infections for the 18 months they were in his ears. His tubes fell out at almost three and boom, two back to back really bad infections that ruptured his ear drum. SO I took him back to the ENT. SHE said we could wait and watch but I begged her to put them back in, and we did, and he hasnt had another one since. he is 4.5 and they are still in. I would imagine they will fall out soon and we will see. I hope he will have outgrown them!!!

With younger DS when he started with the ear infections, I was ready much more quickly and he got his tubes at 14 months after numerous back infections that werent clearing. He too has not had one single infection since getting his tubes last Dec.