From experience, I would say to get a second opinion before you do all that to him. My son had ear infections often -- every time he got a cold and every time it turned spring in DC and he got allergies from the pollen. Then, he grew out of them as the tubes got bigger. He also experienced hearing loss from the fluid (at about the same age). We took him to an ENT who told us immediately that he needed tubes put in. We took him back to his pediatrician first (it was January and his tubes were filled with fluid, but not infected). She said to me -- what you need to do is take him out to play in the cold, then the fluid will shrink and drain. Don't worry that he is going to get sick -- he doesn't have an infection -- getting a little cold won't hurt him. I did and the fluid drained. After that, every time he started to get a cold, the first thing I would do is give him kids' motrin before he went to bed -- like the cold temp., the motrin would shrink the tissues, allowing the fluid to drain at night (when it usually builds up). He never had another serious ear infection. There is a saying that if you go to a surgeon, they will recommend surgery. The same thing happens with other medical specialties -- if you go to an ENT, they will recommend a battery of procedures. See if you have other options first.
