any one have children with numerous ear infections?

Question

my son has had three ear infections, one perforated, in the past couple of months. he's acquired infections while still on antibiotics. i'm wondering if he'll have to have tubes in his ears. and what actually do the tubes do or how do they work

Answer 1

My son had tubes in his ears when he was two years old. What the tubes do is provide a way for air to get into the ears, so that they aren't stopped up with fluid - sort of like pouring water out of something with no way to vent it - a vacuum will soon build up unless you allow air to get in. For my money, I wish they'd put tubes in a LOT sooner than they did; it delayed his speech for a short time (although he quickly caught up once his ears were clear) because he simply couldn't HEAR well enough to learn to talk. It also made him feel so much better because he wasn't sick all the time. Since your son has had a perforation, I'd definitely talk to his doctor about tubes. There's no reason for him to go through more pain and risk more damage to his ears than has already happened.

Answer 2

My nephew had tons of ear infections when he was between 6-12 months..He had fevers so high from them that we would be in the hospital with him all the time..As soon as the antibiotic was done another ear infection would come back..It was terrible..He would SCREAM in pain and we didnt know what to do for him..After about 5 infections one after another his doctor decided it was time to see an Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist..We took him and he told us that the babies ear canal was not growing the correct way and needs tubes immedietly..He got the tubes and is now 3 years old and STILL FREE OF INFECTIONS..As he grows older his ear canal will grow the proper way and it should be fine after the tubes fall out on their own..He usually wears earplugs when taking a bath or swimming..We take him every 3 months for a check-up and so far the tubes are still intact (which is rare..they usually fall out by now) and doing fine.....Lana

Answer 3

I have had tubes in my ears 4-5 times during my childhood.
When the middle ear cannot drain properly to the back of the throat, fluid builds up and becomes infected.
The tubes you speak of are installed in a small slit the doctor makes in the eardrum to allow built up fluid to drain by letting air into the ear.
As the child grows and the inner ear also grows, the tubes eventually fall out. I kept outgrowing mine and having problems so I kept having new ones put in. I did eventually outgrow the problem.
I am an adult now and use Sudafed or a good nasal decongestant when I feel I am starting to get congested and that usually does a good job of warding off infections.
I also have 2 small kids who used to get ear infections until I gave them childrens nasal decongestant for the same reason...cut the infections by 90%!

Answer 4

My son had the same problem continuously until the tubes were implanted. The tubes are very tiny & are inserted through the ear drum to allow the inner ear to drain excess fluid. It is a simple procedure & relatively painless with virtually no side effects. Made a huge improvement for our guy.

Answer 5

my son had tubes it is a fast and easy procedure i think he was back in the room for 30 minutes max it didnt take long at all and once he got them he has done so much better havnet had no problems he was 1 when he got them and now he is 7 andi dont think he has got one ear infection since ... good luck

Answer 6

I had this as a child and my nephew now has tubes in his ears. I turned out okay along with my nephew is also doing fine. i do recommend getting the tubes placed in because of the EI is almost unbearable(sp)...good luck

Answer 7

my little sister had tubes they just help drain the ear's, but be-careful with Kim(my sis) she had a tumor eating its way threw her ear drum and they did not catch it tell it was 2 late....And it ate most of the ear drum she is death in one ear....just keep on top of it