Ear tubes and Ear Infections?

Question

My 21 old son has tubes in his ears after many bouts of ear infections and a lot of fluid in his ears. After tubes were put in both ears 5 months ago he has another ear infection. How is it possible that he has another ear infection? Aren't tubes supposed to drain the fluid to prevent infection? I'm so worried.

He's 20 months old...just about to turn 2.

Answer 1

Hi, I'm an Audiologist, and my son had tubes when he was younger.

I am guessing the you have taken him to the Doctor to have obtained the diagnosis of an ear infection... didn't the Doctor mention whether the tube was visible in the ear or not?

As noted, if water gets in through the tube, it could brew an infection... is there discharge from the ear? Ear plugs should be used whenever bathing or playing in water (swimming, kiddie pool, running in the sprinkler, etc.). Custom-molded silicone swim plugs are the most effective at keeping the ears dry, but they usually cost to $60-100.00.

Sometimes ear wax can clog the tube, rendering it ineffective at equalizing the air pressure to prevent the build-up of fluid, so it is the same as not having the tube in place. The Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT, otolaryngologist) can sometimes clear the wax, but this is difficult in a young child, as the tube and ear canal are so small that the patient's head must be completely still.

Most tubes are designed to fall out as the eardrum heals itself; typically this takes six months but might occur sooner. Some tubes are designed to stay in place until they are removed by the physician. Sometimes the child outgrows ear infections, it may take as long as to 6-7 years of age, when the head is nearer adult size and the Eustachian tubes are at a better angle to drain any middle ear fluid into the back of the throat.

For many children, their adenoids are enlarged or become inflamed with colds/allergies and they block the eustachian tubes. Snoring at night and mouth-breathing when awake are the primary signs of enlarged adenoids. Removal of the adenoids (and often the tonsils at the same time) typically helps the child breathe and sleep better, in addition to having much fewer ear infections.

Try not to worry so much, chances are your son will be just fine. Ear infections are very common in early childhood. The main thing for you to watch are his speech and language skills. If ear infections are chronic, or if middle ear fluid remains even after the antibiotics have killed the bacteria, then the effect on the child's hearing could make it difficult for him to learn how to pronounce words/speech sounds. So if he seems to not hear even after the antibiotics are done or if his speech isn't clear, make sure you have his hearing tested and follow-up with treating the ear problems.

Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions... just click on my name/avatar and the click on "Contact HearKat".

I wish your son a speedy recovery.

Answer 2

Have you been keeping his ears dry with plugs when he takes a bath? Maybe some water got in there, that would cause another infection. My son had tubes 3 times, he had really small eschution (sp) tubes so his ears would not drain very well. Doc said they usually grow with him, and they have gotten a little bigger with time. Call the doc before it gets any worse and have him fitted for good ear plugs if you haven't already. They are about $10 at the ENT docs office. Good luck to ya. It's hard to have a little one in pain!!

Answer 3

tubes do not prevent ear infections but they help them clear up like a normal ear infection instead of it being prolonged my daughter is 2 with her second set of tubes and still gets ear infections all the time

Answer 4

could have fallen out after the swelling went down, very rarly seen fall out or they got clogged over time. go back to the pediatric ent