what would cause a child to need ear tubes?

Answer 1

Ear Infections.

Answer 2

More than 5 ear infections in a year. Or, more than three over a short period of time. These are caused by the ears not draining fluid. The fluid builds up in the ear and becomes infected with bacteria that can come through the nasal passages and/or throat. They put the tube in the ear so they can drain the fluid out and then it is less likely to build up and cause infections.

My 10 month old son had tubes just before christmas as he had 6 ear infections in 6 months!!

It was the best thing we did! Over and done in 10 minutes and he recovered the same day!

Answer 3

My son has had tubes three times now, and my daughter once.

The main reason is excessive ear infections. Doctors vary, but the majority say more than 5 a year require tubes. The tubes allow fluid to drain out of the ear better, therefore lessening the amount of infections they will get.

Another reason a child gets them is if they have chronic fluid in their ears that affects their hearing. Doctors will then put in tubes so the fluid can drain out. They will especially go this route if the child has any kind of a speech delay.

The tubes generally stay in about a year, fall out on their own in most cases. Most kids only require them once.

Answer 4

Many times the culprit is blocked ear canals. Recurrent ear infections can leave behind fluid, which gets trapped in the ear canal and becomes a blockage. This fluid build-up distorts the sounds of incoming messages from the ears, and can lead to hearing problems/speech problems. Many times, this is the first clue to parents that there may be a problem that requires the necessity of ear tubes. Having ear tubes placed in the ear canals can help redirect the fluid so that it doesn't build up in the canals causing the blockage. Without this blockage and distortion, children tend to be able to hear much better than before, and speech improves.

Answer 5

Lots of ear infections. They are the main cause of tubes. My daughter who is 5 has had tubes for 2 yrs now. I was told her hearing was affected by the ear infections . It just helps to drain the ears. I'm mom to 3.

Answer 6

my son got tubes at 10.5 months

He had a lot of ear infections and his ears were always full of fluid. They were so bad that they said he probably didn't hear until we got those tubes put in. Because of all the problems, he was very delayed. He sat up for the first time the night we got the tubes put in.

The tubes stayed in about 18 months. He went from so far behind to being caught up (with the exception of potty training). It was really a miracle. :)

Answer 7

I would say frequent ear infections...my younger sister was forever having ear infections when we were children and she's had at least two sets of tubes in her ears.

Answer 8

an unclosed hole in the eardrum. I'm 19, I had to get tubes in my ear when I was 1, they end up falling out..I'm think mine came out when I was like 2 or 3. I was too young to remember.

Answer 9

too many ear infections in one year

Answer 10

An ear infection....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ear_infection