Question About Tubes for Repeat Ear Infections

I think there are some doctors who just go for the best rate of return, but you should be able to pick those out of the lot and find a doctor you trust. All doctors are not the same, and if you don't trust your kids' ENT find a new one. I was skeptical about tubes for my daughter, she was 15 months old when she had them put in and they changed our lives. She went on antibiotics every two weeks but nothing worked, so we tried this route. I hear some people have luck with changing diet or chiropractors though, so maybe look into that.

There was some discussion about getting my one year old daughter (she's almost three now) tubes because of recurring infections but I fought it. My Mom gave me such a hard time, everyone gets tubes, it's no big deal, your making your kid suffer, blah blah. I'm sorry but for me cutting into my child's eardrum, no matter how routine, just wasn't something I was going to jump into lightly. I'm not saying it's not a valid surgery or that there aren't children who certainly need it and yours may be those children. I just felt like it was jumping the gun for my daughter. Yes, she had recurring infections but she never seemed terribly bothered and antibiotics usually did clear it up right away. And I'm glad that I didn't do it because now she's almost three and hasn't had an ear infection in at least 8 months. Good luck on your decision. Either way you aren't wrong, your doing what you think is the right thing for your children and that's never a bad thing.

I find it hard to believe that a reputable doctor would put your child at risk by performing an unnecessary surgery, but that's just me. How about a second opinion? There are many factors that an ENT will take into account before recommending tubes.

My oldest and my middle DDs had tubes as toddlers because of chronic ear infections (we're talking 1 or 2 ear infections a month for 9 months). The older one outgrew the ear infections and the tubes fell out by themselves. My middle DD's eardrums ruptured several times do to infections - the tubes put a stop to that. Fortunately, she hasn't suffered any hearing loss from the ruptures, but her speech was delayed. She still gets the occasional ear infection (her tubes fell out a few years ago), but they are few and far between.

My husband and I felt that having the tubes to help drainage was a better alternative to our DDs being constantly on antibiotics.

It's a personal choice that only you and your husband can decide. Only you know what's best for you children.

My son had tubes put in his ear when he was 3 years old. There is a rule of thumb for ear infections Dr. go by (at least that is what the hospital told me when I took my son and he had double ear infection.)If your sons experience 6 ear infections in a year then tubes are highly recommended. I can honestly tell you that my son has not had an ear infection ever since the tubes were put in. It was the best thing I did. In your case, it sounds like you don't trust your Dr. very much so I would get a second opinion and his pediatrician would be the best one to offer his/her suggestion.