Ear Tubes?

[photonbug]

Not sure if you all remember me from the bump.  I didn't get to post that often but participated some.  I have lurked here off and on.  I haven't participated much over there in a long while and there isn't much traffic so I thought I would post here. 

My LO has had five ear infections from three months to as resent as a few weeks ago.  Daycare is the culprit but we can't take him out so our Pedi told us to see an ENT.  We had our appointment yesterday and he suggested tubes.  I just don't know...I know it is an easy procedure but I feel like it is kind of is a crap shoot.  It could fall out in as little as six months and then he would need it again.  I read that they don't really grow out of these things until like 3 or 4 when the ear canal can lengthen.  That can mean a lot of surgeries between now and then.  I think of all these questions after we leave the appointment of course.  He did have fluid in both ears at the appointment but it was clear.  I just feel like maybe they should have done a hearing test before deciding on surgery or something more then what they did. 

I have his one year appointment with the Pedi next Monday so I plan to talk to her about it and see if I need to do a follow up with the ENT to ask more questions.  The ENT was ready to do it as soon as this Friday and I was like ummm no it's his birthday on Friday, lol.  He said we can wait and to just call to schedule the procedure. 

So, does anyone have any experience with this? 

Here was my siggy over on the bump...just in case it jogs anyone's memory of me

[irishsara]

My Charlie is having them done tomorrow! He just turned 1 on Friday.

My oldest DS had them 4 times, and my middle had them 3. (Horrible ears run in the family!)

Procedure is really no big deal. After you get them home and they have their morning nap they are back to normal. Actually, better than normal! Its amazing. You'll want to do it sooner rather than later so it doesn't affect speech development, if they really need them. I know its scary, but its sooo worth it.

If you have any questions, let me know!

[katfco]

Have you considered the possibility of what could happen if he doesn't get them? It's a lot more of a crapshoot that way. Loss of hearing, speech delay, immense frustration because he can't hear anyone.

Lots of us have experiences with it, including some of us who had it done themselves. I had tubes when I was around 2. It's such an easy procedure and often helps a great deal. Yes, sometimes they need to have them redone, but it's unlikely. If they fall out, then you can talk to the ENT about other possibilities, but it's really not that much of a risk.

[irishsara]

I agree. The risk is so much greater for not getting them. We waited on DS 2 and he is so speech delayed because of it. Its a fast, easy procedure.

I also have had them done. Most recently 2 years ago. As an adult they don't even put your under. It is an in office procedure. I can vouch that it is painless.

[photonbug]

Wow, good luck on his surgery! I do have questions!

Did they do a hearing test before deciding on surgery? They only asked about his hearing test from when he was born which was normal.

Also, can they eat before the surgery? I know they will tell me but I am curious as my son will get pissed if he can't eat. He takes after his Mama

[photonbug]

Oh trust me I have considered the risk going both ways. That is why I am wondering why they didn't do a hearing test. We will most likely get the tubes but I am just wondering what others experience is.

[irishsara]

Apr 9, 2013 9:57:32 GMT -5 photonbug said:

Wow, good luck on his surgery! I do have questions!

Did they do a hearing test before deciding on surgery? They only asked about his hearing test from when he was born which was normal.

Also, can they eat before the surgery? I know they will tell me but I am curious as my son will get pissed if he can't eat. He takes after his Mama

They usually don't do a full on hearing test.  Some ENT's do, but if they can tell there is fluid there, the hearing test is going to come back as "refer" anyway...which means the ear drum is dull.  It usually just a device that they put in his ear that sends waves to the ear drum.  If they can see fluid though, they sometimes skip it because they know what the test is going to say. 

No, they can't eat before surgery.  Some say they can have some clear liquids, but most doctors will do the youngest patient first.   Charlie is the youngest on the roster that day, so he'll go first.  We just bring him in his pjs and they are pretty quick about it.  They let you feed them (nurse or bottle) once they wake up from anesthesia.  (this is only how our surgery center does things. Yours may be different, but most doctors will do the youngest first)

[irishsara]

Having fluid in the ear feels like you are talking underwater usually. So, imagine that feeling all the time. You can still "hear" its just not clear. So, he could pass a hearing test because he can hear the beeps...but he's not hearing clearly, if that makes sense.

[katfco]

DD had a hearing test, but that was why she went in for tubes, because at 4, she had hearing loss. I'm not sure about others. If he has a speech delay or you suspect he already has hearing loss, you can request one.

As for eating, DD was allowed to eat until 6 hours before and if I recall correctly, she was allowed to have clear juice. Some anesthesiologists might still be old-school, but I believe they've relaxed the guidelines for kids. It's one reason they usually try to schedule these first thing in the morning.

[photonbug]

Thank you guys, you made me feel better! That makes sense that they would skip the hearing test since he had fluid in his ears at the appointment.

Irishsara, That is good to know that it is painless too. Makes me feel tons better.

I have had three ear infections since having my LO and during my last cold they said I had clear fluid in one of my ears too. They said one more ear infection this year and I will have to see an ENT too.

My mom said that the Pedi recommend I get tubes when I was younger but she never did and I was lucky enough not to have delays. I guess that is why I was hesitant at first. There is still that skeptic in me that thinks all doctors just want to make money. I am still going to talk to my Pedi on Monday because I just want to make sure his lungs are good to go for the Anesthesia. He has had to be on many breathing treatments and because of his reflux he get a rattle sometimes in his chest. He has been to a Pulmonologist before and I may go back just to get an all clear. I am paranoid of going under my self so I am even more so for my son.

[irishsara]

Going under for them is scary. For me it was the scariest part. But, my ENT explained that he was never really "out." He was just put in a twilight.

But yeah, definitely check with everyone so you are totally comfortable. I freaked out the first time, but since then I've realized for us, there are more benefits.

Also, some ENT's will take the wait and see approach. Even though your pedi refers you, doesn't necessarily mean it will happen. Charlie's ENT said he had taken the wait and see approach with a bunch of patients lately since the weather is changing and most ear problems will clear up on their own. We have a history though, which is why.

So, there is always that chance that he will want to just watch and see what happens.

[photonbug]

He didn't really want to wait and see though he said we could...He was ready to do the procedure this Friday! I am definitely going to check with everyone.

Thanks again!

[SteelCity44]

I'm way late to the party (stupid job keeps me away), but Micah had tubes almost 2 months ago. He was getting an ear infection every single month, so we were referred to an ENT. He did a hearing test and checked for fluid. There was fluid and his hearing was not up to par. The appointment was on a Monday. They do surgery on Wednesdays and Fridays, and offered to do it that week. I took a week to let it sink in (and I had the following Friday off). He had the first time slot at the surgery center because he was the youngest. No milk after midnight, nothing clear after 2a. Arrive to center at 6:30. Surgery at 7:30. We talked to the doctor at 7:50, and saw Micah at 7:55. We walked out the door at 8:15. He was extra fussy and had extra drainage (aka blood) because he had a current ear infection that they had to "clean out." Good luck with your decision.

[miller824]

DS (he is four now) had fluid in his ears for almost a year and a half, and we didn't know it. He was miserable, had struggles with his speech, and failed three hearing tests, and we were completely freaked out. He had multiple ear infections when he was younger, and only one of two in the years he had fluid, but the ENT advised us to get tubes. Everything is better...he speaks beautifully, is so much happier and has not had an ear infection in a year.

We just had DD's one year appointment, and she had her fourth ear infection, and the Pedi told us to go ahead and make an appt for the ENT, due to DS's history, and her being in daycare. I feel good about it, knowing I would rather her have the surgery than be stuffed with antibiotics on such a regular basis. I do feel a little nervous at how young she is for the surgery, compared to DS, but at the same time, it is pretty non invasive and a simple surgery.