Large amounts of ear infections

Tonya - posted on 12/14/2009

my son had ear infections all the time, so they put tubes in they fall out now he has to have them put back in along woth his anoids being removed i guess that helps.

Florence - posted on 12/14/2009

My 17 month old had to have tubes put in both ears in October. He was going through the same thing, constant ear infections. The surgery was quick and seemed virtually pain free for my son. No stitches, no blood, just drainage from the ear. Since he has not had any infections until now, he does currently has one. The good thing is now the fluid drains from the ear when infected instead of building up pressure and pain in the ear and making it easy to detect quickly. I think it was well worth it. It is supposed to help with hearing and speech development as well.

Brittany - posted on 12/13/2009

My son had the same problem, he is 29months old. He had ear infections atleast once a month and after medicine it would come right back. I took him to the ENT two months ago and he had tubes put in Nov 10 09. Since he had them in he has been a different kid, he talks a lot more and is way happier! : ] hope this helps!

Shannon - posted on 12/13/2009

Once my child had her tubes put in, the ear infections disappeared!!! Just make sure you keep all ENT appointments, because my daughter's tubes didn't pop out, and she had to have a second operation to have them removed. In the last 4 years she has had only one ear infection!

Katie - posted on 12/13/2009

My son had grommets fitted in March 09, after repeated ear infections and diagnosed poor hearing due to glue ear. At the same time the surgeon removed his adenoids, which were apparently extra large. We have a family history of ear infections so it was probably an inherited ear shape. So far no ear infections since, and he has perfect hearing now! One has already fallen out, so probably the adenoids were the key...

Adre - posted on 12/12/2009

Hi, my daughter got ear infections from 18 months, she was given antibiotics the first time but within 3 weeks of finishing the course she had infection again. Grommits was suggested although I wasn't to keen. I won't say it helped in making the infections less since every month after I could see her getting another infection by the fluid draining. She was hospitlised 7 times from May to November. I started doing research and found a device (Benny Nasal Vac) that helps clear the nasal fluids since it's mostly the fluids from the nose that end up blocking the tubes to the ears and then the fluid in the ear can't drain and causes ear infections. The device works on the same idea as when a physio drains the nasal mucus. It's really easy to use and has made a great difference. She has only been to the doctor once this year and that was for the flu and even with her flu her ears wear only slightly infected. If you need more info you can probably contact them on info@thebabyh.com

Leanne - posted on 12/12/2009

Hi ive never had a child with this problem but i know of friends who,s kids have had these put in their ears.They are called grommets and they release any build up of fluid from the eardrum.They can actually prevent and ongoing earinfections and ive heard it helps also with their talking,because when alot of children have alot of ear infections it can interfere with their speech..Good luck im sure your little girl will be fine i hope this helps

Michelle - posted on 12/12/2009

they are called Gromits here in New Zealand, they are painless and the procedure is easy. the way they work is they open up the ear canel allowing no build up, they do grow out of it, but you can't get the ears wet. I have a friend who has noticed such an amazing difference in her little girl who was constantly sick with ear infections, also helped with sleeping better. don't be afraid she will be fine

Caroline - posted on 12/12/2009

Sounds like us last year. My now 22 month old daughter had an ear infection every month from December until July when we finally got tubes. She still gets ear infections, but not as frequently and we're able to tell by the fluid that drains from her
ear(s) very quickly that she has one. I support tubes. The procedure will be harder for you to watch then it will be for your child. Good luck!

Brandy - posted on 12/11/2009

OMG my son had them three to four times a month and we got tubes and that was the best thing ever for him. when he got his tubes we started understanding him more as well with his speech. He also heard things better, They are a awesome thing.

Diane - posted on 12/10/2009

Don't worry the tube will help her not to have infections or if she does the infection is able to drain instead of putting pressure on the drum and causing a lot of pain. My daughter had ear infections since the time we got her( she is adopted) we got her on antibotic and she was still on them untill she got the tubes put in.(5 months) it cut down on the infections infact so much she only got one maybe once a year after that. hope that helps

Maggie - posted on 12/10/2009

I had tubes in my ears three times as a child. Obviously they are not a long term solution since I had to have them 3 times. There are tons of alternatives to having this surgery. One of the main ones that people swear by is chiropractics. Another that I can't find a website to support is massaging the muscle inside the mouth that helps drain the eustachian tubes therefore keeping fluid from building up inside the ear. After my mom started doing this I never got another ear infection. To do it you run your finger along the roof of the mouth until you reach the soft palate then, with slight pressure, run your finger down the side of the mouth until you reach the tongue.This will not only help drain what's already there but strengthen the muscle to keep it draining. If you do try this try it on yourself a few times to get it right.

Krista - posted on 12/10/2009

I was one of those ear infection kids. I had one after the other and did indeed need to get tubes. In total, I had 10 operations over the course of 10 years. But, please don't get worried. Kids generally outgrow tubes LONG before this many operations are required. I was the exception to the rule.
And to answer your question, yes, they do help. The function of tubes is to drain the fluid from the middle ear, causing your child to NOT get ear infections and will also help her hear better. I remember getting my tubes put in one time and then going to the bathroom. Upon leaving the washroom, I exclaimed to my mom "Mommy! The toilet is so loud!"
It really will help your child's quality of life. She'll just need to wear earplugs.

Carrie - posted on 12/10/2009

There are 3 people I know who have had them for their kids. Two of them said once they got them they didn't get any more infections and the other said her son got fewer infections.

Melissa - posted on 12/10/2009

My youngest daughter had tubes put in in April and will be 2 next April. After she got the tubes we noticed a differences within 24 hours she would turn her head when we said her name. The doctors gave us antibiotics, ear drops, zyrtec thinking it was caused by allergies but nothing worked for her. When we went to the ENT he said she probably had never gotten rid of the first ear infection and they were just treating it and had this ear infection for 6 months. After the tubes she started sleeping all night and just seemed a lot happier in general. Good luck!

Daniele - posted on 12/10/2009

My daughter had that problem. Does your daughter have allergy symptoms - bruises under eyes, stuffy nose, sneezing? We had tried everything - antibiotics, alcohol/vinegar mix for her ears after baths, raising the head of the bed, sitting her up to nurse, etc. Nothing helped. Finally, the doctor told us to give her between 1/4 and 1/2 tsp of tylenol cold and sinus for children at bedtime for three days to clear up her allergies. In two days the fluid completely drained out of her ears, just in time to avoid tubes. Since then, every time she gets allergy symptoms and starts rubbing her ears, we give her the tylenol cold and sinus medicine for two days. She hasn't had an infection since. BUT, I would talk to your doctor about dosing since every child is different and the medicine is not recommended for children under 2. It has to be a personal choice, but also make sure it is a well informed choice. Too many kids are hurt by overdosing. Good luck.

STEPHANIE - posted on 12/10/2009

Well, I have a different kind of answer I guess, but have you concidered chiropractic? Sometimes a simple adjustment can help. My husband is a chiro and our oldest daughter is 2 1/2 and she gets an adjustment every so often but she has never had an ear infection. I know that sometimes a cervical (neck) misalignement can cause unnec pressure on the ear, which can also lead to fluid retention in the ear... just a thought to concider

Deborah - posted on 12/09/2009

My daugter had them put in in april of 08 and it has been the best thing we have done for her she talks better and we get to sleep and she gets alot less colds. It takes 10 min to do and just keep there ears dry and clean.

Brynn - posted on 12/09/2009

good luck with everything

Brynn - posted on 12/09/2009

my daughter actually just went to the ENT doctor this morning. the doctor did a hearing test on her and an ear drum test. the test showed that she had so much fluid in her ear that it was stopping her ear drum for working correctly. she getting tubes on jan 11

Claudia - posted on 12/09/2009

Since the day my son was born, I was afraid of ear infections, because I know how much the child hurt. So Ialways made sure thar he did not get any cold air or wind in his ear. Also I am very carefull with water geting in his ear. And so far it pays off.

Tanya - posted on 12/09/2009

my baby brother got tubes in his ears and they helped him so much. He couldn't really hear before they did it. The just put him to sleep& put the tubes in. They fall out on their own. He could say so many more things because he could actually hear us!