Ear Tubes Surgery?

Question

My son is almost 4 y and the doctors insist he needs ear tubes surgery on both ears. He has not had an ear infection in his life, his hearing is good, he is very smart and he is learning faster than the average (according with his teacher). The fluid in his middle ear seems not to bother him at all.
I do not want him to have a surgery if that is not bothering him.
What should I do?

Answer 1

My daughter had to have tubes in her ears. Th e doctor did not put them in there until he knew without a doubt that she really needed them. he tried everthing he could to stop the infection before he did the surgery but she had to have them in the end. Of course she did have extreme infection and it would run out of her ears onto her pillow and in her hair so it was bad. If he has no infection i would not do it. My daughter ended up having to have a 2nd surgery to get one removed because they fall out on their own in around a year or year and a half but her's did not so it had to be removed surgically. I would not advise it if he is having no problems.

Answer 2

I don't know, but the doctor probably knows more than you in this case even though you'd like that not to be true. I'd say see if you can get a second opinion since 2 heads are better than one (or 3 are better than 2 if you include yourself but that's off the point). But as for the actual surgery it could actually do more good than bad because ears are the most sensitive part of your body. If the doctors performing the surgery disturb one little thing they didn't mean to it could cost your son his hearing in that ear forever. It's a really hard decision to make as a parent so choose carefully.

Answer 3

Inner ear fluid can thicken in time if it does not drain. My daughter (now 14) has had 5 tube surgeries and many infections. She has never complained of an ear ache. Her first tube surgery (6 mo) resulted in infection (as thick as oatmeal) being removed from her ears. Please talk to your doctor in detail as to why he/she feels this is necessary. If you are still uneasy about it seek a second opinion and research online.

Answer 4

Tubes in the ears is very very common. He will do well to get this done. Sometimes, as he grows they will fall out and he will need more. My son had tubes 3 times in his life. And my grandson has had them 4 times. It will keep him from getting the fluid and bacteria trapped in there and he will not get sick as often. And no more ear infections. Doctors these days do more tubal procedures then they do tonsil removal.

Answer 5

If he's not having any infections and his hearing isn't impaired, don't do it. However, I would recommend getting a second opinion from another doctor in another office. Sounds like this doc is out for the money!!! If after getting your second opinion you find that your son doesn't need surgery, report the first doctor to the state. He may be abusing his status as a doctor and that would be criminal.

Answer 6

YOu should go ahead and let the doctor do the surgery because it ain't really even a surgery. I had that same surgery when I was 5 or 6 and it was the same situation as your in and I had the surgery and didn't even know I had the tubes or if I had even had the surgery. When they come out you don't even know it.

Answer 7

I had a medical professor advise to never have tubes put in your childs ears, but instead take the child to a chiropractor. Often an adjustment will straighten the eustacian tube enough to let the fluid drain.

Answer 8

If he is not suffering from any of the common ailments normally associated with this surgery, I would get a second -and possibly even a third- medical opinion.

Answer 9

As long as he is not getting ear infections why bother? Is it affecting his hearing?

You may want to get a second opinion, that's what I would do.