My 8 year old son had his adenoids taken out and ear tubes put in a little over 2 years ago. The ENT doctor told us that the tubes should fall out on their own within 18 months to 2 years, but if they didn't, she may have to remove them. We have a doctor's appointment with his pediatrician later this month, and I'll be asking him if we need to see the ENT, but I wondered if any of you had children whose tubes didn't fall out when they were supposed to. I really didn't like the ENT, and I'm dreading having to deal with her again. Perhaps we'll find a different one if we need to. Thanks for your input!
ETA: He isn't having any issues, so I don't feel an urgent need to rush to the doctor. I'm just curious to hear about any of your experiences. Thanks!
That happened with my 4 year old. The ENT just used a little instrument, reached in and pulled it out. My kid thought she was just looking into his ear. It was nothing.
Hope it's that easy for you...
Dawn
My son's are still in 3 or so yrs later, well one is in one fell out, there is no concern as of yet to jump in and remove it.
My son's didn't come out of one ear either. The ENT said it was due to scar tissue and he had to surgically remove it. It was considered same-day surgery and was done at our local Children's Medical Center. My son actually enjoyed the attention as it was the first (actually only!) time he was in the hospital :)
It's good that you are taking him to have it checked out. And if you don't really care for the ENT, there are many others. Good luck to you & your son.
My son had to have them surgically removed. All went well after that.
hi,
My son had his in for 16 months the first time (he was 3 years old) .At five he had to have tube again (He gets a bunch of bad ear infections at the point that he can not hear at all: First hearing test :he was hearing 40% less than the other kids,HEaring test at 5 years old 30 % less).So his last set of tubes when he was five lasted for about 22 months.Everything was fine ,He could hear better ,his speech improved....Until they fell out two months ago.(so my kids is 7 years old now).He had a very very very bad ear infection in the right ear at the same time they fell out and since then he hasn't been able to hear almost not at all.I feel I am constantly yelling at him and i am not even mad so just that he can hear me.So, i don't know but it might be beneficial to remove them as my son just saw the E.N T yesterday and he still has a lot of fluid build up in both ears and he needs a third surgery for ear tubes.Hope this help and if anyone has any experience with multiples ear tubes surgery .thank you for sharing it.
N.
My son had tubes, and they are SUPER tiny, so its possible they HAVE fallen out and you didn't even know! He went to his 2 yr check up and when the pediatrician checked his ears he saw that they were no longer in the proper place, and were just kind of hanging in there because they had come out of the eustacian tube but not fallen all the way out of his ear yet. He just reached in there and pulled it out with the tool they use to remove ear wax and it was no big deal (that's how I know what they look like). I wouldn't worry about it. If the need arises, it's a minor issue for the ENT to deal with so you could either decide to suck it up for a short time, or as you mentioned request another ENT. I would think taking them out would be a more minor issue than having them put in.
Guess I am confused. You had them put in for a good reason, so what is
the rush to take them out?
Hey -
My son had his in for well over 2 years, but probably not more than 3 years. However, he was much younger than your son (1-4 while he had them). Like others have said, my son had to have them put in due to speech problems. My son's did eventually fall out. I would specifically ask your pediatrician if there is a reason that they want them removed for an older child (do they impede final development/shape of the inner ear)?
You can always use a different ENT for an evaluation. The one big lesson I have learned over the years is - if you don't like your doctor, change. I love the doctors I have now, but I have definitely gone through some that I didn't like.
Good luck,
L.
My lil gal had them done before she was 3 we go back in to get them checked it's been over a year not 2 yrs yet and they looked like they were at the begginnig stages of falling out so we are waiting as well I would hate for them to of falled out sooner later is better since her issue was fluid effecting her hearing and caused a speech delay but you would never know she is my chatter box.I hope they don't need to be removed surgically then need them again later but we will see.Just ask the ped. we have never went to see the ENT other than check ups we had that option
