Have you or your children had ear tubes?

Question

And if so did you have a good experience or a bad experience with them?

Answer 1

This is a good question for me, I myself had ear problems for many years. In the 1980's and the docs then didn't want to do surgery on that young of a child. I couldn't hear very well. I could read lips very well. I started school and could read very well for my age. but couldn't hear the teacher when faced away from me.

They finally did the surgery and I could hear things that I hadn't heard in a long time. I also had my tonsels and adnoids removed. I was tired for a day or so afterwards and couldn't swim or take a shower without ear plugs (special fit). At the end they fall out and that is kinda cool to a 5 year old.

I'm glad I had them done. If I hadn't had them done in that time then I wouldn't be able to hear. They did hearing test before and after and they were surprised on how much I gained back. I have no hearing problems to this day!!

Answer 2

My 8 year old has had them since he was 13 months old. He had nonstop ear infections the first year of life and the fluid never drained from his ears, even with anti-biotics. Since getting them - not one ear infection. The tubes fell out when he was 5 - fluid filled back up again, he got a new set - and his ears should be fine when these fall out. We have a wonderful pediatric ENT and both time when they were put in it was easy - he was put under, but the procedure was 5 minutes and he was completely back to normal by the time we went home.

Downside to them - is he needs to wear earplugs in the shower and swimming pool and now that he is older - he doesn't like to wear them swimming as "normal" kids don't.

I also had tube when I was in 2nd grade - had completely lost my hearing, They were in for a year and helped tremendously.

Answer 3

My 7 yr old has tubes, in fact he has had three sets of them. They have fallen out after about 3-4 years and then he would have really bad re-occuring ear infections like 4 in three months so they would put another set in. We are hoping that like most children he will out grow it and not need them anymore. We have removed his tonsils and adnoids also, they were very enlarged as well. So with his second set of tubes at 5 yrs old they removed them. I also have tubes in my ears and its heaven sent. I can hear, my ears don't ring, I don't have ear infections as long as I have a tube in. The surgery is VERY simple like 5 minutes and thats it! I was shocked. As far as pain and discomfort after the surgery, Its like a tooth ache only in your ear. When I had mine done I took plain old tylenol for a day and that was it. I gave my son childrens motrin because tylenol never worked for his fevers. If you are looking at the pros and cons of tubes, email me @yahoo.com. Another thing to look at is my son has permanant hearing loss from soooo many ear infections. He goes to a speech specialist EVERY DAY at school and he is now going into the 2nd grade. There are many things that could happen if there is a need for tubes and you don't get them soon enough. My son had his first set at 2 years old and we still have all these problems with hearing loss 6 yrs later. GET THE TUBES! They really do work and could prevent many problems later in life.

Answer 4

My son had them put in. Up until he was five he had no ear infections, that summer he got swimmers ear and then all of a sudden he started to get ear infections, don't know if the two are related. He probably had a least ten in the one fall/winter season before they finally put the tubes in. He hasn't had any infections since and he will be eight in Feb.

Answer 5

Our youngest son had to have ear tubes in one ear. He was about kindergarten age.. I noticed he did not respond too well when I or other people spoke to him when he was turned away from us. But when I had him face me, I saw that he was reading lips.. He did very well with the ear tubes. We had a form made of his ear, so that he could go swimming.. the form was only made to ensure very little water would be splashed into that ear. He, like his father, has a narrow ear channel.
Your child, or yourself, will benefit from having that done. Good luck to you!

Answer 6

I have a 2 year old and a 3 year old that have both had tubes in their ears. They have both done well since they have had tubes.

Answer 7

My daughter had them put in when she was 2 years 2 months. She had something called "otis media" which means chronic ear infections. When the doc decided it was time to operate...her ear drum had actually perferated because of the infections. When she had her surgary I was terrified! My hubby kept saying everything would be fine but I was hearing a word he said! Nothing would be ok until she was in my arms! Immediatly after her surgary when we got her home...it was like nothing happened! She was a happy healthy toddler..in no more pain. Since her peration in feb we have had no problems with her ears and If i had to...I would do it again..she's better now

Answer 8

Hi Adrina,
I had them in five times when I was younger, between the ages of 5-7. I remember the last set coming out and shredding my ears. I now have partial hearing loss in both ears.
Liz

Answer 9

for a yr. my son had ear infections every month. and i noticed he wasn't speaking like i thought he should be. had him tested and his hearing was poor. was worried about his learning and tired of the meds. not helping so took him to see a specialist (without a dr. recommendation) and got tubes put in. since then, he hasn't had any ear infections, he's speaking better, but a little sensitive to sound. make sure no water gets in their ears.

Answer 10

No, none of my girls or I had tubes. I do know that my friend's son had tubes when he was a little guy. It really helped him. So overall it was a good experience.