Tubes in Ears for 14 Mo. Old

My son got tubes when he was 13 months old and it was the best thing we ever did. He had one ear infection after another after another. I was worried about the surgery too, but had an awesome ENT. The morning of the surgery was a bit tough as we had to be at the hospital by like 6am, he never woke up that early! So I got everything all ready and woke him up at the last minute and put him in the car. I didn't worry about a diaper change or anything...don't forget to grab a lovey! I also took some small toys and books to keep him occupied while waiting to get taken back for surgery because I knew he'd be getting hungry and thirsty so I wanted to be able to distract him. We got to the hospital and they did all the prep stuff. His surgery was scheduled at 7am. Shortly before that the ENT and anesthesiologist came out to answer any last minute questions. Then at 7am the ENT and nurse came out to take my son back. He cried just a bit when they were walking away from me, but stopped not long after going thru the doors to surgery. Then, about 10-15 minutes later, the ENT was back out telling me everything went great. They took me to him and he was still out. He had to be able to drink before they would let us go home. As he started to wake up he was a GRUMP! Finally, he took a drink and we were gone. I think we were back home before 8:30am. He slept all day. Woke up briefly at about 5pm and then again about 8pm and then didn't wake again until the next morning. After that there weren't really any signs that he'd had anything done. No more ear infections though!

Living with tubes is easy, they don't have to wear ear plugs anymore to keep the water out...unless it's dirty water like at a lake. We weren't limited on any water activities at all.

It is very trying on a mom to let them take your baby away for surgery, but it was so quick I couldn't believe it. Good luck, I'm sure you won't regret your decision.

Updated

My son got tubes when he was 13 months old and it was the best thing we ever did. He had one ear infection after another after another. I was worried about the surgery too, but had an awesome ENT. The morning of the surgery was a bit tough as we had to be at the hospital by like 6am, he never woke up that early! So I got everything all ready and woke him up at the last minute and put him in the car. I didn't worry about a diaper change or anything...don't forget to grab a lovey! I also took some small toys and books to keep him occupied while waiting to get taken back for surgery because I knew he'd be getting hungry and thirsty so I wanted to be able to distract him. We got to the hospital and they did all the prep stuff. His surgery was scheduled at 7am. Shortly before that the ENT and anesthesiologist came out to answer any last minute questions. Then at 7am the ENT and nurse came out to take my son back. He cried just a bit when they were walking away from me, but stopped not long after going thru the doors to surgery. Then, about 10-15 minutes later, the ENT was back out telling me everything went great. They took me to him and he was still out. He had to be able to drink before they would let us go home. As he started to wake up he was a GRUMP! Finally, he took a drink and we were gone. I think we were back home before 8:30am. He slept all day. Woke up briefly at about 5pm and then again about 8pm and then didn't wake again until the next morning. After that there weren't really any signs that he'd had anything done. No more ear infections though!

Living with tubes is easy, they don't have to wear ear plugs anymore to keep the water out...unless it's dirty water like at a lake. We weren't limited on any water activities at all.

It is very trying on a mom to let them take your baby away for surgery, but it was so quick I couldn't believe it. Good luck, I'm sure you won't regret your decision.

Ear tubes were a blessing for my daughter. She has not had an ear infection since they were put in last Feb. We did have trouble keeping the ear plugs in though during bath time or swimming. Finally I quit using the ear plugs and did not have any problems.
We tried chiropractic treatment but it did not help.
The surgery only took about 10 minutes. DD was very fussy afterwards for about 30 minutes. By the time we got home a few hours later she was back to her normal, hyper self. I highly recommend ear tubes. Good luck with your decision.

Our boy had them in and I never regretted it one minute. He went in to the surgery center, when they came out to get him he ran in to go on his adventure.

When he came out and he woke up he was frantic and screaming like a banshee. It was hard to watch but the anesthesia had him disoriented and stuff. His breath smelled like anesthesia too. My hubby sat in the seat and held him snuggled tight and we headed for the pharmacy. By the time his prescription was ready the anesthesia was almost entirely out of his system and he wanted to go play. He was a tiny bit clingy that afternoon but by the evening he was his normal self.

The tubes fall out normally after a few months. Since he is having this done this early in the year I would say by Summer the ENT might say he is fine to swim because the tubes are already out. Otherwise just pop in some ear plugs and be done with it.

My 3 yrl old grandson was found to be deaf. He didn't even respond to a bass drum being hit behind his head. The ENT decided to put tubes in just in case it was internal pressure built up stopping the ear from processing the sound waves. He went in to do the surgery and found debris from past ear infections that had never healed due to the antibiotics not working or not reaching the area. He cleaned the ear canals out and then put the tubes in. The boy woke up and he could hear perfectly. Do the tubes, no doubts about it, do the tubes so your child will not have permanent damage to the ear internal tissue.

My daughter got tubes at 16 months. It literally changed our life. She was like a completely new baby within less than 1 hour after the procedure. Happy, smiley, tons of talking (before then she was barely using any words, and all of a sudden she was talking a mile a minute), her balance was better, she slept better through the night, such a great change.

As far as limitations, she does have ear plugs that she needs to wear when swimming (nothing during showers or baths - we just watch to make sure she doesn't submerge her head). She would typically pull them out, so I can be honest and say that they weren't used as often as they probably should have. She still got infections every now and then, but it was much less than what she had before, and would easily clear up with ear drops. Otherwise though there is nothing else limited. We do have to take her to the ENT every 6 months to check the tubes, and have had her in once with her for an infection. She is now 2 years, 2 months, and still has that same first set of tubes.

The Dr should go over post-op procedures with you. My daughter was hungry right afterwards, but she was pretty content once she got some food in her system. She also ate everything in front of her the rest of the day. Ask about the ear plugs if they don't send you home with any (my hubby had to go back).

The procedure itself is FAST. I was amazed - we had barely gotten settled in the waiting room and the dr came out to tell us everything went well. I would say less than 10 minutes total.

Good luck! I wish your family and your daughter well!

When my 7 year old son got tubes in the ears, the ENT made some ear plugs for the bath and swimming. You might check that out and see if they can form some plugs to her ears. It really helped him because he had so many ear infections. Since they fell out at around 2.5 he has had maybe 2 or 3, not to many. For my 3 year old, he also has tubes because of too many ear infections. One tube has fallen out and he has had more infections since then. I just need to find another doctor I can take him to have him looked at. I just don't like the fact that he has been on antibiotics so much. But in the beginning it really helped. As for the baths, I don't let either one of my boys lay in the tub and get water in their ears. We just try to be very careful that the water doesn't get in, if it does we try to dry out quickly. I would check to see if you can get those ear plugs and see if that helps. I believe your daughter will have relief and will be a new girl. Good luck to you.

Both of my kids had tubes, and one had them twice...I was very nervous but it really helped stop the infections. They were pretty good to go as soon as they came up from recovery and they were ready to eat. I can't remember specifics, but I believe we were given ear drops to use for a couple days after.
Try to get a really early appt because they can't eat so many hours prior to procedure. As far as swimming, bathing, etc., we purchased custom ear plugs from our ent. They take a mold of the child's ear. Our insurance didn't cover this but worth EVERY penny. I forget the cost but I am thinking $50.
Good luck and try not to worry, I know that's very difficult though.

My daughter had the same issue(had an infection in her right ear that just wouldn't heal). My daughter was 2 when she had the tubes put in her ears last April. I can happily say that the tubes have made a HUGE difference. Every time she has gone to the doctor with a minor cold etc her ears are clear which is great to hear of course. I can also tell that she can hear us better too:) My ENT gave us a pamphlet to read over. It's really a simple procedure/small incissions in each year. It's hard to watch the anesthesia part, I have to admit I cried:( She woke up pretty disoriented but was happy to see mommy and daddy. The doctor said she may experience a bit of pain so provided some ear drops with some rest she was good to go the next day.
We did purchase a band to put around the ears for bathtime etc but honestly water getting into the ears really hasn't been an issue for us. I think the issue is if the child is going underwater etc which I don't know too many toddlers that do, lol. Everything will be just fine and I just hope you see a world of difference like most of us have with our kids:)

Good luck and don't worry, everything will be just fine and the plus is you will have one happy daughter.

My DD was 14 months old when she had her tubes put in. One question, did the doctor mention her adnoids? The reason I ask is if you have a child who has an infection that won't go away it could be the adnoids. I know that was the case for my daughter as well as our son.

The tubes were the best thing. Prior to, DD has a significant hearing loss. Once she had them put in, her hearing went to 100%.

I would think that she is in pain and she should feel better pretty quickly after the surgery. Also, have custom ear plugs made. That will help keep them in. Its worth the cost!

I'd like to second what Jeanna said. If there is any chance of you going to a good chiropractor for a second opinion before the surgery please consider it. I had amazing results using a chiropractor for my daughter's ear infections. They may agree that tubes are needed for this case or they might be able to help make all this go away. Never hurt to try!

I second Jeanna and KL.

I'll try to make my story short. I know your decision is made...but keep this in mind for future reference if it doesn't work out.

My daughter had ear inf's which required tubes to be placed at 13mo. All went well and she was ear inf free for a couple years while they were in. When she was 4 she began getting ear inf's again....after 4 rounds of diff antib's we were referred to the ENT again. Set #2 was placed that winter. The following winter one tube had already fallen out and was was falling out. Ear inf's started back up. Had to go in for set #3!!!!! She had just turned 5 when this 3rd set was done and I told the Dr to remove adenoids and tonsils, too. Thought we'd be all set. Nope!

Inf's started back up when she was 7. Pedi told us to go back to ENT for a 4th set. I was like "no friggin way!!".

That's when I remembered a story I heard from a sorta friend about her bringing her 3 y/o to a chiro and he only needed 3 adjustments and NEVER got another ear inf (story was told to me 7 yrs after he'd visited the chiro). So, that's what I began doing when she was 7. It's been WONDERFUL. No tubes, no ear infections. Her C1 and C2 vertebra were cock-eyed and if you read up on them, C1 totally controls the inner ear. Coming out of the birth canal can do a number on these poor babies, but no one thinks to make sure their teeny spine is aligned properly.

Just keep my story in the back of your head in case a couple years down the road your daughter starts to get ear inf's again. Good luck!

It's probably too late to chime in at this point, since you've made the decision to get the tubes. My son had 3 infections in a row when he was two and what fixed it was one trip the chiropractor. When children's necks get misaligned their tubes don't line up properly allowing for them to drain properly.

My son never had another ear infection after that. I just want mom's to know there are other options out there that are less invasive and worth trying before going the traditional route, but maybe you've exhausted those, I don't know. Always go with your mommy instinct on the treatment of your child.

Best wishes for you and your daughter.

My daughter had tubes put in when she turned 1 and I think they have helped her out a lot for the most part. She is now almost 2 and one of the tubes has fallen out. She still gets ear infections and sometimes drainage from the ears. We have to put ear drops in her ears at times to help them drain but at least the ear infections don't seem to go on forever like they did before the tubes. Swimming and washing hair, things like that are challenging, you just have to be extra careful. Last summer was hard since we would go swimming every week. She got her head wet a few times but it didn't seem to affect the tubes. The inconvenience is worth it if it will keep those tubes in. Don't worry about the surgery. It is so quick. You are really in and out. Recovery isn't bad either. My daughter did have so much fluid in her ears that one of the tubes kept getting clogged. We had to keep putting ear drops in her ears until it cleared but once it cleared she did so much better. I think you will see how much better your daughter will sleep and how much happier she will be with the tubes.

My son also had tubes put in at 15 months after a series of 6 or 7 infections one after another. I struggled with the decision since I did not want my son to go through surgery but in the end felt that the constant antibiotics were worse. I never regretted the decision for a second! The procedure was easy, he seemed fine afterwards and even better by the next day. There was definitely a difference in his hearing- he must have heard sounds that he hadnt been able to before (he had fluid in his ears even when they were not infected), or was hearing more loudly, and got scared at the toilet flushing or the vacuum cleaner, etc.
But he also went from having few to no words prior to surgery to talking at a level beyond his age group. Took about three months. He was also much happier and slept better afterwards. It was definitely worth it! Good luck.

Sounds like your ENT did not give you as much information as he/she could have. My daughter had tubes around that age as well and some of the odd behavior is typical. Basically the tubes change the way they hear things so they react to that. It is my understanding that there is no pain with them so your daughter is probably just reacting to the oddities of how things sound. My daughter got over it in a couple of weeks. As far as water, my doctor told me that they have learned that the tube itself is smaller than a typical droplet of water will fit through, so swimming, and bathing is not harmful. You do however have to be careful about the soap as it breaks the size of the water droplet down and then it CAN pass through the tube which could potentially cause infection. My daughter swam, bathed and got her ears wet constantly and never had an issue. I was just careful not to get soap or shampoo near her ears.

As far as asking the docs questions, I always keep a running list for my kids at home, that way when I get to the appointment I can just pull it out and I don't forget anything

Hope this helps.

My son was 2 when he got is tubes, and his post-surgical experience included a sore throat from tonsil removal. So I am not sure that he would have noticed that his ears hurt, what with the throat and all.

My son's experience isn't very helpful to you, but I do want to say that you should have ear plugs made for him so that he doesn't get water in his ears. My son chose his color - hot pink!

Tubes were absolutely wonderful for my son. And he did not mind the ear plugs. He knew that there was no fun in the water without them!

Dawn

My daughter had her first set at the same age and we noticed a big difference immediately. We walked out of the same-day-surgery unit and she was in awe about the sounds she could hear...."that" sound was a water feature. We hadn’t realized she wasn't hearing all the great things we all hear every day. She also responded better to communication...again I think she could just hear so much better.
As for questions to ask....the tubes do fall out; usually about 12 months and depending on your child you may need them again....I would ask about procedures in needing them a second time. Our daughter has had them 3 times in one ear and the other a patch was put in the help the hole close from when the tube fell out. The hole has still not closed and does cause us concern and her pain. Not “all the time pain” but it is something we’ll have to address and fix at some point.
As for limitations because of tubes....they are minimal compared to the benefits she and you will experience. We do put wax in the one ear (because of the hole) but besides that she can and does all she would do if she had never had tubes before.

You will be so happy you did this. It really is very simple. Post surgery went smoothly for both my kids. Some are just very sleepy as the anesthetic continues to linger that first day. We did have some antibiotic drops - 3 a day 3x a day for 3 days. Then that is it. Her behavior above sounds VERY related. I don't remember any long term restrictions on swimming and baths, so just ask the Dr. The best part is that the next cold she gets will NOT cause you dread wondering when the ear infection will set in. Plus she'll be much more comfortable and sleep better - and be generally happier! Best of luck!

You are very wise to write down questions. Pretend you're getting information for someone else's child. Ask the doctor what should happen after the surgery. Ask what your daughter should do and shouldn't do, and for how long a time. Ask what you should expect your daughter to feel, to do, or to want. Ask him what he would do for her if she were his daughter. (Just for writing purposes, I'm assuming your doctor is a man.) Your attitude will affect hers, so it helps for you to know as much as you can.

My younger son is an adult now, so my story is dated, but after a series of ear infections we had tubes put in his ears. He was about eighteen months old. (Yes, earaches can affect the disposition. They can be dreadful; you feel you can't get away from the pain.) I sat in the hospital waiting room chewing my nails off - this was the first child to have any sort of surgery - and was surprised that the procedure was over so fast. My boy was grumpy in the recovery room, but I'd been warned that he might be grumpy from a few hours to a whole day. I remember that once home, he was "indulged" a bit - favorite supper, special reading times.

The first thing we realized was that, after only a few hours, our son was speaking much better! He had been talking the way he heard things said, but once his ears were better, his speech improved dramatically. And he hasn't stopped talking since.

He had no more earaches or ear infections, and he could swim as long as he used earplugs. He had no problems living with tubes. In fact, when they finally fell out, we didn't even notice; I took him in for a checkup, and the tubes were gone.

HI--
If you want to avoid surgery altogether I would suggest getting her tested for yeast. My boys only had a couple of ear infections, and every time it was an overgrowth of yeast in their ears. Anti-biotics would make the situation worse, not better. Or the anti-biotics could have caused an over-growth of yeast--particularly if you didn't repopulate her gut with pro-biotics during and after the treatments. There is a totally natural cure for it that is effective and quick. If you'd like more information I'm happy to talk to you further about it. I can also give you some pointers on how to determine if it is in fact yeast.
J.

I have been through ear tubs countless times, no seriously I do not know how many sets of tubes my son has had at this point and he is just 6. His first set was at 9 months (I think ~ in conjuction with another surgery). My daughter had her first set at 18 months.

I will talk about my daughter, because that seems more in line with what you are dealing with. After surgery she screamed (but she is my little drama queen). She would not look at the nurses and refused to have anything to do with them. We do not actually think she was in pain, just expressing her displeasure.

We go in that morning, go to a room. Change him or her. Talk to the doctor, a nurse, the anestesiologist, and a few other people. They take our child back. The procedure takes no time and we get to see the doctor to find out everything went well. Then shortly after that we go back to recovery. There for maybe an hour and we are home, they have to drink some water/juice first and not be screaming. Ear drops for a few days, antibiotics for 7 - 10 days. Back to daycare/school the next day.

We do get ear plugs made for the kids and have no restrictions on swimming/baths. For us it is not a big deal even though I stress before hand. I mean anytime your child is having something done it is a big deal, but overall it really isn't.

After surgery and after a few days my daughter just started talking. Her speech had been stunted due to her ear problems. Now she has caught up (and this was just in October) and is flourishing speechwise.

My son will not go near the water because he has never known to swim or take a bath without his plugs. He does not take them out on his own, our daughter still does, because they were introduced to her later (yeah 18 months is old).

If you have any questions let me know. Good luck.

@ Dawn B ~ my son has one hot pink and one purple ear plug : )
@ Jeanna ~ my cousin is in her early 30's and she had excellent results for her ear problems with the chiropractor.