i have ear questions? READ?

Question

Apparently, I had ringing in my right ear because my eustation tube (sp?) is clogged. Dr gave me meds for it, and I'm feeling better. He also reccommended a Ear Nose Throat Specialist, and I have an appointment on the 2nd of March.

Suddenly, my mom started talking about surgery and I got upset, and started to cry because I hate Drs. Even though I've had a surgery before, I just get scared of dying on the table. My mom said I might need surgery to get tubes, even though i've only had one ear infection this whole year.

Anyways, when I go to the ENT what will he do? And if I need surgery.. how should I handle it? Because I burst out into tears everytime I hear something I don't like. :(

I'm 13.

My mom doesn't know what she's talking about.

Answer 1

Hi - I'm an Audiologist.

When you go to the ENT office it will be for an initial consultation. Hopefully they will have you get a complete hearing test, which would include a test to measure if the clogged sensation is from the pressure build-up from Eustacian tube dysfunction, or if there is actually fluid that has remained behind the eardrum without being infected.

If you've only had 1 ear infection the whole year, and if your test results do not show fluid in the middle ear space, it is HIGHLY UNLIKELY that an ENT would recommend tubes. And it is a near certainty that your insurance would not approve it under those circumstances, either.

As someone else has mentioned, the insertion of tubes is often done right in the Dr.'s office, using only a local anesthetic to numb just the ear. The patient gets up and walks out of the office less than half-an-hour later. The reason they have young children put under general anesthesia is because the structures in the ear are so tiny, thus it is very important that the patient hold perfectly still.

So in the unlikely event that the Dr. does mention surgery, explain that you do not feel comfortable with anesthesia, and ask if you might be able to have the procedure done in the office. As others have mentioned - the more responsible and mature you act, the better your chances of being able to influence the course of treatment.

I hope you feel better soon!

Answer 2

It is extremely unlikely that you will need to have tubes put in your ears. I am actually surprised that you are even being referred to an ENT at this point because of how few ear infections you have had. However, if you do have to have tubes put in your ears the risks are extremely low. My 2 1/2 year old had tubes put in his ears (after 5 infections in 6 months) when he was about 18 months and the whole thing took less than a half hour and by the afternoon of that day he was completely back to normal. If you have any concerns at all you can talk to your doctor. Trust me, there is nothing to be worried about! :-) Good luck with your ears, I have trouble with my ears too so I know that it is not fun.

Answer 3

It is unlikely that you will need surgery unless your condition has been troubling you very frequently (like 6 or more attacks in year).

Discuss things with the ENT specialist. He/She will want to know what it is and how badly it is troubling you before deciding if surgery is an option.

You should let them know how you feel about surgery if it is really scaring you. I'm sure they can reassure you about what needs doing.

Answer 4

You didn't say how old you are. Having tubes in you ear is a very minor procedure done under a local, you wouldn't be asleep and you are not going to die. There is a good chance you do not need them in the first place. Try and relax and work with your doctor and if you are old enough to make your own decisions make your opinions known. But if your response is just to cry, your doctor and parents will think you too immature to assess your own health and make the decisions for you.

Answer 5

If you cease doing the things that aggravate your system, you should not need surgery. (The surgeons might try to sell it, but it isn't necessary) Many people are sensitive to cows milk. Why do we think that a food designed to grow a calf from 100# to 600# in about a year is a good food for humans. (Cows milk causes Juvenile diabetes also) Learn to do a nasal lavage. Put a pinch of salt in 1/2 cup of warm water and sniff it up your nose.-- with your head over a sink of course. That drains all sinus cavities. If you had antibiotics, you now need pro-biotics to get your digestive system re-established. Do not blow your nose, as that tends to push bad stuff up the Eustachian tube. If you have respiratory problems, get a cool mist humidifier, and add a pint of hydrogen peroxide to the gallon tank. run that while you sleep. Blessings.

Answer 6

On a scale from one million-10 possibly an 8. yet its rapid. Then it as we communicate is going right down to a pair of five for a pair of hours. Ibuprofen helps the throbbing. confirm you at the instant are not allergic to the metallic they use for the jewelry. circulate with a pal its a good bonding journey and you will carry each and each others hand! Who ever says ow the loudest has to purchase the different lunch! save the posts very sparkling and swap them each couple of hours. that truly helps.

Answer 7

you should toughin up a little because doctors are not that bad as long as you see that they are clean and they are not rough with you(if you feel uncomphortable tell them and they respect your statement) you should feel safe

i once had a doctor whom i got a check up with my mom and sister for, we all got checked in the same room and he would use the same plastic thingy in all of our ears and my mom told him she didnt like that and he immediately stoped but we still changed doctors