One of my daughters has been suffering this past year with monthly ear infections. We've finally hit 6 ear infections in 1 year so we qualify to go see a Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist that can discuss the potential of needing ear tubes. I had ear tubes as a child so I'm not surprised to hear that one of my two twin daughters potentially needs them at 21 months of age. Our problem is she's been getting these ear infections every month. We notice when she's starting to get more cranky, run a temperature, and screaming when we try to lay her down that its time to head back to the Dr. for more antibiotics since chances are another ear infection is brewing! The ear infection causes such pressure in her head that she's not able to lay down flat and sleep. Since we've been having so many infections and taking so much antibiotics her own immunities have been decreased which led us a month ago to a nasty mouth infection called "Thrush" that left little white sores all over her tongue and mouth so it was painful to eat or drink liquids. After all these occurrences we're finally headed to the specialist next week to review our options. Its never any fun to have a sick child. We're nervous about the need to use anesthesia for this procedure to help hold her head still while the ear tubes are put in place. This article below really helped us understand this procedure and how common it is for children. Therefore, we wanted to share it with you too...
Painful ear infections are a rite of passage for children—by the age of five, nearly every child has experienced at least one episode. Most ear infections either resolve on their own (viral) or are effectively treated by antibiotics (bacterial). But sometimes ear infections and/or fluid in the middle ear may become a chronic problem leading to other issues, such as hearing loss, or behavior and speech problems. In these cases, insertion of an ear tube by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) may be considered.
What are ear tubes?Ear tubes are tiny cylinders placed through the ear drum (tympanic membrane) to allow air into the middle ear
Who needs ear tubes and why?Ear tubes are often recommended when a person experiences repeated middle ear infection (acute otitis media) or has hearing loss caused by the persistent presence of middle ear fluid (otitis media with effusion). These conditions most commonly occur in children, but can also be present in teens and adults and can lead to speech and balance problems, hearing loss, or changes in the structure of the ear drum
Each year, more than half a million ear tube surgeries are performed on children, making it the most common childhood surgery performed with anesthesia. The average age for ear tube insertion is one to three years old
Note: As long as there is fluid in the middle ear, your child is at risk for having another ear infection.
