How far apart should ear tubes be reinserted?

Answer 1

Usually 3-4 months.

Answer 2

As noted, it takes a few months for the eardrum to heal after the tube falls out or is removed. If the chronic ear infections have resumed, there are tubes that are designed to stay in place until they are removed, so that they provide a long-term benefits in comparison with standard tubes.

In addition, if they have not already done so, you may want to talk to the doctor about the adenoids and/or tonsils -- these are often the source of the Eustachian tube blockage that prevents the middle ear fluid from draining. Many children with chronic ear infections also suffer from allergies that cause the inflammation and mucus production that fills the middle ears.

My son had tubes at 1 year of age -- they were the long-term tubes, and we left them in for 2 years, which is longer than they're supposed to be in there; but fortunately, my son's eardrums still closed on their own (although there is some funky scarring). I think his young age helped with that.

So I tried to be conservative with treatment for a couple years, but once he was in school, I wanted to be sure he could hear consistently. So this time we did regular tubes and adenoids. Then all his illnesses moved to his throat, so within a few years, we had to take out the tonsils. The ears were OK then, but the surgeon found that the adenoids had started to grow back when he had my son in the O.R., so he took those out again, too.

My son's in High School now, and hears well (when he wants to) and takes allergy medicines when his nose/sinus allergies start up, but it's been a while since he's had an ear infection.

Answer 3

According to Dr Jay Gordon (world famous pediatrician) ear tubes are virtually unnecessary. Have allergy tests& eliminate dairy.

Best wishes