Tubes Placed in Ears

Updated on November 01, 2006
A.P. asks from Cleveland, OH
21 answers

My son had tubes placed in his ears this morning my questions are has any one else's child had this done, and has any of them has ear infections since, and what happens when the tubes fall out?

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So What Happened?

Hey everyone. Thank you for the great replys. It has been almost a month now and things are so much better. NO ear infections yet. He is very willing to put his ear plugs in and doesnt mess with them when they are in. Also his speech has cleared up he is a lot easier to understand. He can hear better and i dont have to repeat myself. His balance is better and he no longer runs into things and falls down. It is great. Thanks again for all of your support

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R.D.

answers from Dayton on

My daughter had them when she was 3. One of them fell out, the other had to be remove. NO MORE EAR INFECTIONS!!! It was wonderful. She still doesn't and she is now 9.

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B.S.

answers from Canton on

my baby had tubes at one year hes almost 3 now and havent had any ear infections since. The tubes fall out on their own.Im a mother of 5 and a grandma of 2.

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L.R.

answers from Cincinnati on

Hi A.,
I have four kids and my oldest and youngest have both had tubes. My youngest's infections stopped after hers were put in. My son has been a different story. My son has been a rare case though. He is 13 and has his 5th set in now. His infections did stop, his problem is fluid keeps building up in his inner ear.It doesn't give him infections(except the occasional one) but, his hearing isn't so great(when he has the fluid). So they put tubes in to remove the fluid. He has also had his tonsils and adnoids removed because of the on going problem(to take down swelling and to allow the ears to drain better). Like I said he is rare casr and I thought you would be interested in knowing some of the good and the bad. My daughter did great and has no problems at all.When the tubes fall out nothing happens it just means the ear drum has healed and it forces the tubes out.So pretty much they did their job and it's time for them to go...lol. It really is a simple surgery to recover from and they are their selves almost immediately. Have you have any questions feel free to message me...Good Luck!

L.

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A.H.

answers from Columbus on

Hello A., Both my son and my daughter had tubes. My daughter did have 2 ear infections after the tubes were in and my son had none. Neither one of thier tubes fell out on thier own, the doctor had to take them out but since the tubes have been out (5 yrs for my daughter and 1 year for my son) There have been no infections! Tubes are definatley worth it...hang in there. However if your child does get an ear infections while the tubes are in you will know it because drainage will come out of his/her ear, then you will be subscribed ear drops. Good luck!

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G.W.

answers from Cleveland on

My daughter had tubes put in when she was 4. (she's now 11!!) The infections definitely stopped, I think she might have had only a few after the tubes were put in (in the years since).
When they fall out you wont even know, they only way they'll know is when a dr looks in his ears. My daughter didnt lose hers for a few years, I think it was around 8 or 9, at one of her check ups, that they said they were gone.
She has, however, had a slight loss of hearing from the scarring that occured from the tubes. Its nothing that affects her daily life, its very high pitches that she isnt able to pick up now. But with the amt of infections she was having, the tubes were well worth it.
Good luck!

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S.L.

answers from Cleveland on

my daughter had hers put in at like 11 mnths old she has had some infections and thw one was out so they had to remove it and the other ones still in she doesnt get as many ear infections but she still gets some.

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J.R.

answers from Cleveland on

My daughter had tubes placed in her ears at 20 months. One fell out on its own, and the other needed to be surgically removed at the age of 5. The removal surgery was no big deal. They typically fall out on their own within 2 years. They're tiny, so you probably won't even know. Your pediatrician can tell if they're still there when he/she examines your child's ears.

The tubes don't prevent ear infections, but they allow the infection to drain. Rather than taking antibiotics, you will just need to put drops in his ears to clear-up the infection. The other benefit to tubes is that typically you will KNOW there is an ear infection because you will see (and sometimes smell -- I know, eewww!) the drainage. You won't have to wait for the telltale signs of fever and pain from your little one.

I will also say that the tubes drastically reduced the amount of ear infections my daughter got. As I said, they didn't completely eliminate them, but I think she got a total of 2 (worth noting) after the tubes. Prior to the tubes, it was a constant battle.

Oh - one last benefit of tubes is that your son will likely hear a lot better. You may notice a sharp improvement in his speech and/or vocabulary.

I hope your little guy does well with them. Take care!

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J.R.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi A.,
After six months of antibiotics and constant visits to the doctor, my daughter had tubes put in when she was two. It was the best thing we ever did! She's eight now, and has had only one ear infection since the tubes. The tubes are so tiny that you don't even know when they fall out, and there's nothing you have to do after that. I think you'll be very happy that you had them put in.
J.

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S.

answers from Cleveland on

My son had this done when he was two. He is now 18 and has not had an ear infection since. The tubes will fall out and most likely you won't even notice. Nothing to worry about. Good luck~

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M.

answers from Cincinnati on

Bad ear infections run in my family. Growing up my sister had to have tubes put in her ears 3 times. And this was back in the late 70's and early 80's when it was a hospital procedure.

Her daughter (my niece) has had the misfortune of inheriting the ear infections and my mother encouraged my sister to have an ENT specialist look at her ears before her first birthday. She did end up having to get tubes.

But, like other people have posted, the tubes will more than likely just fall out and you won't know until your doc tells you.

Good for you for getting them put in. I've found that you tend to have to really keep on the pediatricians around here to get the ENT referral.

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N.K.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi-
I have four children and three out of the four have had tubes put in their ears my son has had two sets of tubes but my daughters so far have only had to have one set but it does reduce the ear infections my kids would still sometimes get infections around the tube which would require ear drops and the tubes just basically fall out and you usually don't even know they have fallen out until the next time the pediatrician looks in their ears sometimes the doctor will have to remove the tube once it is no longer in the ear drum anymore but just kind of hanging out in the ear canal not doing any good. Hopes this helps and good luck!!

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A.R.

answers from Canton on

My daughter, Mikenna,who is now 6 had tubes put in her ears when she was 2 1/2. She has not had an ear infection since. When she was 4, she did have some drainage in her ear but the doctor said that that was not considered an ear infection. From the time she was born, she had an ear infection atleast once a month. When and if the tubes fall out, you usually do not see them...they are extremely small in size. When you return to the doctor they will use the scope and check the ear drums to see if it's still there.

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J.F.

answers from Dayton on

Hi A.,

I have 4 sons and my two youngest sons each had tubes in both ears. Both of my sons had constant ear infection until the tubes were put in. After that it seemed that my sons ate, spept, and played better. Both boys seemed to be much happier and more content with life. It took my first son about 14 months for both of his tubes to fall out. At my youngest son's appointment at one year, his tubes were still in tact and we will go back in February for his next check-up. After the tubes fall out you just go back to a normal life. No more ear plugs while giving a bath, no more ear drops in the event water has gotten into the ears. Should you have questions, please feel free to contact me. I will help if I can.

Jackie

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K.B.

answers from Cincinnati on

My son had them placed in Feb. of 04. He's actually due to go back to the ENT for a check up. He has had one ear infection since, but his ear infections were actually related to sinus infections. They have helped alot. There is really nothing to worry about, you will notice signs of infections by the drainage. There may be drainage in the first few days, that's probably not an infection but stuff left in there from before the surgery. At least, that's what I was told.
Best Wishes!

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S.

answers from Cincinnati on

Hi A.,
You have lots of words from moms who experienced tubes. Now I'll share with you what I learned actually cause ear infections. Nearly every time it's an overgrowth of yeast. Get the yeast under control and there won't be ear/throat whatever infections and tubes will not be needed. If you want to know about controlling yeast, let me know. It's not difficult and their health will be improved in many ways.

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R.C.

answers from Canton on

hi A.,
I have a step son who is 3 and he has had tubes 3 times. What happens when they fall out??? the child is prone to ear infections again. My son's biological mother took him to the chiropracter with her one day and was telling the dr. about him having the tubes. That Dr. suggested to her that she let him try and manipulate our 3 year old son. She did and it's been the best advice ever! Our son hasn't had an ear infection since. He continually sees the chiropracter and still has had no problems. The chiro bill is a lot cheaper than having the tubes replaced over and over.Just thought i'd share our experince with you.

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V.N.

answers from Columbus on

My daughter who is 3 now had tubes placed in her ears when she was 1. She had 2 ear infections per month before surgery, and she had just 1 infection after the surgery. About 3 months after she had the tubes, I saw drainage from her ears in her bed in the morning. I called my Dr. and I went in and he said she was starting to have a minor infection. Since she had the tubes, he gave us antibiotic ear drops that went staight to the infection. Ever since then she has been infection free!!! Good luck!

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L.

answers from Mansfield on

A.,

Please take your children to the Chiropractor! It is totally safe and very effective. Some Chiro's don't charge for children. My son had a double ear infection when he turned 1. We took him to the ER because he looked so sick. They put him on antibiotics(this was on a Sat. night). On Monday I called my chiro, and they said to bring him in. After his adjustment he started looking better already. I only gave him one dose of the antibiotic and he hasn't been on ANY antibiontics since! My son turns 9 in Dec.!
Here is some info to back up what I've learned.

http://www.amerchiro.org/content_css.cfm?CID=69

God Bless your decision.

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J.N.

answers from Dayton on

My sons 4th set of tubes just came out. And yes they still can get infections usually it will just drain out. But they still can become clogged. I have now transfered to Cincinnati childrens ENT group they are wonderful! Alot times children only need one set then they fall out and they are fine. If you have any more questions feel free to email me. ____@____.com

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B.W.

answers from Canton on

My son had them done when he was younger. Like 1 0r 2 and hes 8 now!

He hadnt had nearly as many as he had before them! He had alot less! It Helped him alot!!

His didnt fall out when they were supossed to..his were in for a loooooong time. I think the one actually just fell out last yr. I didnt even know when they did fall out!

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J.B.

answers from Dayton on

I really enjoyed reading your responses because my 9 month old daughter just had tubes put in on wednesday morning. If you don't mind my asking who was your doctor? You can email me at ____@____.com and we can compare notes on how are kids are reacting.

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