What's it like to have tubes in your ears?

Question

I get alot of ear infections. I get them with every cold and flu and stuff. And I get them just out of the no where! So my doctor said I will probably have to get tubes. Does it hurt to get them in? And is there any thing I can't do with tubes? Please answer from mostly experience and what you have heard from doctors.

Answer 1

First of all, if your doctor is suggesting a procedure that you don't understand, tell him to explain it to you. And don't let him dismiss you until you are satisfied you understand it. Ask questions.
I have had this procedure done. The idea is to drain fluids from behind your eardrums and relieve pressure back there. You will be anesthetized (unconscious) for the procedure. You will not feel anything afterward; you will not know they are in there. You may have to exercise caution when doing anything that involves water (swimming, bathing, etc.)- you doctor should tell you these things.

Answer 2

Both of my younger sons had to have tubes placed in their ears due to the same problems that you are having. It is a simple operation where the doctor puts you under anaesthetic just as with any other operational procedure. The tubes are very small cylinders that work to ensure that any accumulation of fluid on the ear is redirected as it should be and thus stops most if not all of any ear infections that could develop.

The procedure is of course treated like any other operation and likely there will be exams and blood work to ensure that you are in good health otherwise. Any allergies etc will be noted and if you go to a hospital where day surgeries are done, you will be booked for surgery fairly early in the day and you'll be home later that same afternoon. You'll be told to rest for the first day and there may be some bleeding from the ear but this is due to the incision and is nothing to worry about. The amount of bleeding is from none to very slight in most cases. The operation is a very simple incision inside the ear to allow placement of the tube(s). Sometimes you need only one ear done, other times depending on whether you have had infections in both ears the doctor may put one in each ear.

Recovery is quite fast, the ear(s) may be a bit tender for the first day or so but the discomfort isn't that great that it is really painful.

You can't swim with tubes in the ear and should avoid getting water in the ear were possible. You will probably be told not to wash your hair for a few days afterwards and be careful while showering or bathing...again for the same reason, to avoid water in the ears til the incisions have healed and the tubes are well settled.

The tubes fall out gradually and usually once the tubes fall out you are well past the ear infection stage. They work very well from my experience with them and both my boys who were 5 and 7 did very well.

If there is any history of problems with anaesthesia, ie difficulty in waking, etc., that may have been experienced by either of your parents or other brothers or sisters, the doctor will want to know this so that he can prepare you in the best way to avoid any similar effects.

Overall, I think you will be glad you had this done because it definitely does make a difference in how many or how severe future ear infections are.

All the best and don't go into this worrying...you will do fine and you'll probably never even realize when the tubes actually fall out . If however, a very small piece of what looks like white plastic or a white bead is found months after your operation, it's just the tube and when it comes out...your ear(s) are ready to do the job of keeping ear infections away, on their own. :)

Take care

Answer 3

After Surgery
A tympanostomy tube helps prevent recurring ear infections by allowing air into the middle ear. Other substances, including water, may sometimes enter the middle ear through the tube, but this is generally not a problem. Your surgeon may or may not feel that earplugs are necessary for regular bathing or swimming.

In most cases, surgery to remove a tympanostomy tube is not necessary. The tube usually falls out on its own, pushed out as the eardrum heals. A tube generally stays in the ear anywhere from 6 months to 18 months, depending on the type of tube used. If the tube remains in the eardrum beyond 2 to 3 years, however, it will likely be removed surgically to prevent a perforation in the eardrum or accumulation of debris around the tube.

Although effective in reducing chronic ear infections, ear tubes are not always a permanent cure for otitis media. Up to 25% of children who need ear tubes before the age of 2 may need them again.

Answer 4

A friend of mine was very hard of hearing. He had the surgery, and his hearing is fine now. He said he couldn't feel the tubes at all. One day, several months after the surgery he told me that he had found one of the tubes on a pillow. Apparently the tube had fallen out of his ear in his sleep. As I remember, he was able to do anything he wanted to do, but to be sure about yourself please ask a Doc's advice. Don't take advice from non-professionals when it comes to medical problems.

Answer 5

my three year old son had to have tubes put in he also had constant ear infections tubal ligation is nothing to worry about , yes it sounds scary, what they do or waht they did with my son was they put you under so you are sleeping while they do it the procedure takes at the most 3 mins its an in an out procedure the tube they put in are very small and fall out on there own which you dont even notice. after tubal ligation they worn you about water in the ears so try ear plugs when swimming also sound are a little louder all in all its a simple procedure and dont worry .

Answer 6

It shouldn't hurt to have them put in, there might be a little discomfort for a few days afterward as the ear drum heals. After the healing has completed, you shouldn't be able to feel them in place. My son has them and he has no restrictions on his activity. He does have to wear ear plugs, which are very thin and comfortable, while he is swimming, showering or bathing, but really he can do what any other five year old can do. Good Luck!

Answer 7

It is usually a surgery for kids under the age of 12
because with older kids Eustachian tubes are elongated ,facilitating drainage of any behind tubes the eardrum fluid
With PE tubes in eardrums you cannot get any water in your ears with swimming, sprinklers, showers, washing hair..etc
you need to buy silly putty to use as ear plugs to prevent any water getting in
silly putty is a lot cheaper than having custom silicone plugs made

Answer 8

You dont feel them at all but in my experience te noises around become louder. Somepeople have had leakage but usually it becomes earwax so in my experience that is the only downside. As for activity it is okay to do everything you usually do except swimming and showering when you will need water resistance earplugs you can get from walmart for 5 bucks and getting them in is a cinch they put you to sleep and it is n and out and the only downside is the anesthesia sickness you get. Also in my case when I no longer needed them they fell out naturally. Hope this answered your question.

Answer 9

It hurts to have them put in, but you won't feel it because you'll be knocked out.

At first, you won't be able to do a lot of things, like swimming, and going into abnormal pressure situations (like deep sea diving, mountain climbing, flying on airplanes, etc), but eventually you will be able to do almost anything you want. Only your doctor can truly tell you what you can and cannot do, and he has to explain all that before you have ANY procedures done.

Answer 10

it doesn't not hurt my advice get put 2 sleep... i have tubes and it took awhile to get used to hearing things and it sounded like i was talking in a well. you can't get in the shower with out wearing ear plugs or go swimming without.