Bored of Ear Infections and Fluid Buildup? Ear Tubes May Be Your Answer
Photo by Gustavo Fring: https://www.pexels.com/photo/mother-calling-the-doctor-3985215/
Parenting is challenging enough without the added stress of colds, flu, ear infections, and unexpected doctor visits. When your child complains of ear pain, you rush to the doctor, hoping a quick round of antibiotics will solve the problem.
But what happens when the ear infections keep returning, antibiotics stop working, and the symptoms worsen, disrupting your child's everyday life? If this sounds familiar, you're not alone.
Many patients have come to me struggling with ear fluid issues, and their stories are often similar. Reid, at just two years old, was plagued by constant ear infections and even ruptured eardrums, leaving him frequently sick. After getting ear tubes, his family was thrilled to report that two years later, Reid's infections were gone, and his hearing had improved.
Another patient, Levi, had endured eight ear infections before his first birthday! On top of that, he had developed a resistance to medication. His family opted for ear tubes when he turned two, and seven years later, he saw a dramatic improvement. He had only one infection, which his parents suspected came from lake swimming without ear protection.
For both Reid and Levi, ear tubes were the solution that brought lasting relief, and their parents couldn’t be happier with the results.
When treatments fail, ear tubes can provide a long-term fix, help you find lasting relief, and prevent future infections. Let’s dive in to see if ear tubes are the solution you’ve been waiting for.
What are ear tubes and when are they used?
Ear tubes are little hollow tubes that are placed into the middle ear through a procedure called tympanostomy. They are also referred to as ventilation, myringotomy, or pressure equalization tubes.
When it comes to ear infections, also known as acute otitis media, it is key to prevent the buildup of fluid (effusion) in the middle ear. Ear tubes help achieve the goal of treating and preventing fluid buildup, and address inflammation in the middle ear. With the use of ear tubes, you can reduce ear infection risk, improve hearing, improve speech, and reduce problems with behavior and sleep that ear infections can cause.
Sometimes, fluid buildup remains even after an ear infection has successfully been treated. This condition is referred to as otitis media with effusion, and can also be treated using ear tubes.
When should I consider ear tubes?
Ask yourself the following questions to help identify when ear tubes may be a good solution for you.
In the last six months, has my child had three or more ear infections?
In the last year, has my child had four or more ear infections?
Does my child struggle with hearing loss or balance problems?
Does my child have problems in school due to speaking or learning delays?
If you’ve answered yes to these questions, then your child may be a candidate for ear tubes. These symptoms can be indications of middle ear infections, fluid buildup, chronic middle ear infection, or ongoing inflammation.
The placement of ear tubes has multiple benefits.
They reduce the need for antibiotics to treat ear infections.
They reduce the pain and fevers an ear infection can cause.
They can help improve hearing and speech development.
And, they often help improve sleep, which can be a challenge due to the pain and discomfort of chronic ear infections.
What should I expect with a tympanostomy procedure?
Tympanostomy surgery typically includes a 15-minute or less outpatient procedure that includes the following steps.
A visit to the operating room of your healthcare provider's facility.
The administering of general anesthesia.
A small incision in the eardrum.
Draining or suctioning out the fluid from the middle ear.
Insertion of the ear tube into the incision in the ear drum, allowing fluid to drain from the ear.
Rest in the recovery room.
Possible groggy or nauseous feeling from the anesthesia.
The surgeon will check in with you and prescribe ear drops (antibiotics) to treat any infection. Your child will likely begin feeling better in a couple of days. Over-the-counter pain relievers are typically sufficient to manage any mild pain. Your child will likely be able to return to normal activities like school or work the day after surgery.
Your doctor will typically schedule a follow-up appointment 2-4 weeks after the surgery and regularly every 6 months. If your child has symptoms of hearing loss, then a hearing test may be ordered to check hearing.
Call your doctor if your child experiences ear pain that doesn’t subside with medication, fever or chills, bleeding from the ear, or increased drainage a few days after the procedure. If drainage is yellow, brown, or bloody and lasts more than a week, then seek medical attention from your doctor.
What should I expect once the ear tubes are in place?
Typically, when ear tubes are in place, your doctor will recommend wearing earplugs to prevent water from entering the ear, especially if swimming in sea or lake water. Showering, bathing, and swimming in a clean pool is usually not an issue after tube placement.
During the healing process, the eardrum keeps the tube in place by closing around it. This helps to prevent the tube from coming out early. Ear tubes are meant to be temporary and have an ideal length of time to be effective. After about nine to 18 months, the tubes can fall out, which is normal. If they remain in place over three years, your surgeon may remove them.
You can expect this procedure to improve hearing, improve speech, reduce ear infections, and improve behavior and sleep problems associated with ear infections.
Are there any complications with tympanostomy procedures?
There are potential complications, as with any surgery. But, the risks with ear tube surgery are generally low. Sometimes the anesthesia has side effects, but these are usually low for healthy children. Anesthesia can cause nausea, trouble breathing, an allergic reaction, and/or irregular heartbeats.
Another surgery could be needed if the hole in the eardrum doesn’t close after the tube comes out. Ear tubes can become clogged due to earwax buildup. Sometimes the ear tubes don’t fall out or come out too early. Multiple ear infections or surgery could scar your eardrums. Ear infections may continue after the surgery or fluid may continue to drain from your ear.
Ear tubes are a great solution to consider for fluid buildup or chronic ear infections. It helps treat ear infections and the side effects that you may be experiencing, overall improving daily life, letting kids be kids.
Photo by Austin Pacheco on Unsplash
Although there are many factors to consider when making the decision to pursue a tympanostomy, there are many lifelong benefits that help put your ear fluid buildup behind you. Click on the link to my video to learn how ear tubes work!
Dr. Shellenberger describes how ear tubes work using a diagram to illustrate.
If you’ve been experiencing any of the symptoms associated with ear fluid buildup and chronic ear infections or would like to discuss your concerns, book an appointment with me today by calling 817-261-3000.
Tap the links to check out testimonials from Reid and the Cagle family and hear their stories!
Reference and Resources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15609-ear-tubes-tympanostomy
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/ear-tubes/about/pac-20384667