edging closer to ear tubes---What are your experiences?

April 28, 2006

We thought we were home free after my daughter's double ear infection

cleared up and she was fluid free for a while, but today she had fluid

again at our audiology appointment and I am feeling like we may need

to go the route of getting ear tubes. I am curious to hear from other

parents who have children with SNL and decided to get tubes as well

for fluid issues.

Our audiologist is very supportive and has said she will treat us

based upon whatever decision we make. If we decide against tubes we

will be going more often to adjust the aids more often based upon

whether there is fluid or not.

We are concerned about the clarity of her speech at this point.

Everyone seems to think we should be better right now. We have had a

huge burst in speech since the ear infections left, but she is still

delayed.

In some ways I think it should be so easy to just say, put in the ear

tubes, but I don't know anyone who has a child with hearing aids who

had to have ear tubes. Some moms I know have kids without SNL have

had ear tubes because of ear infections and are thrilled, but I just

get really nervous about my daughter's ears.

I think I posted a bit about this earlier when we were in the midst of

the ear infections, but now it seems like I really need to go ahead

and push myself to make that decision and it seems like I am leaning

toward the tubes, especially since it is now spring and her ears are

still full of fluid.

in Manassas, VA

April 28, 2006

Hi - there are other parents on this list who have kids who wear

hearing aids with tubes - I'm sure they'll get back with you on it!

Barbara

lpepalis wrote:

> We thought we were home free after my daughter's double ear infection

> cleared up and she was fluid free for a while, but today she had fluid

> again at our audiology appointment and I am feeling like we may need

> to go the route of getting ear tubes. I am curious to hear from other

> parents who have children with SNL and decided to get tubes as well

> for fluid issues.

>

> Our audiologist is very supportive and has said she will treat us

> based upon whatever decision we make. If we decide against tubes we

> will be going more often to adjust the aids more often based upon

> whether there is fluid or not.

>

> We are concerned about the clarity of her speech at this point.

> Everyone seems to think we should be better right now. We have had a

> huge burst in speech since the ear infections left, but she is still

> delayed.

>

> In some ways I think it should be so easy to just say, put in the ear

> tubes, but I don't know anyone who has a child with hearing aids who

> had to have ear tubes. Some moms I know have kids without SNL have

> had ear tubes because of ear infections and are thrilled, but I just

> get really nervous about my daughter's ears.

>

> I think I posted a bit about this earlier when we were in the midst of

> the ear infections, but now it seems like I really need to go ahead

> and push myself to make that decision and it seems like I am leaning

> toward the tubes, especially since it is now spring and her ears are

> still full of fluid.

>

> in Manassas, VA

>

> All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each post is

the intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

>

April 28, 2006

Hi - there are other parents on this list who have kids who wear

hearing aids with tubes - I'm sure they'll get back with you on it!

Barbara

lpepalis wrote:

> We thought we were home free after my daughter's double ear infection

> cleared up and she was fluid free for a while, but today she had fluid

> again at our audiology appointment and I am feeling like we may need

> to go the route of getting ear tubes. I am curious to hear from other

> parents who have children with SNL and decided to get tubes as well

> for fluid issues.

>

> Our audiologist is very supportive and has said she will treat us

> based upon whatever decision we make. If we decide against tubes we

> will be going more often to adjust the aids more often based upon

> whether there is fluid or not.

>

> We are concerned about the clarity of her speech at this point.

> Everyone seems to think we should be better right now. We have had a

> huge burst in speech since the ear infections left, but she is still

> delayed.

>

> In some ways I think it should be so easy to just say, put in the ear

> tubes, but I don't know anyone who has a child with hearing aids who

> had to have ear tubes. Some moms I know have kids without SNL have

> had ear tubes because of ear infections and are thrilled, but I just

> get really nervous about my daughter's ears.

>

> I think I posted a bit about this earlier when we were in the midst of

> the ear infections, but now it seems like I really need to go ahead

> and push myself to make that decision and it seems like I am leaning

> toward the tubes, especially since it is now spring and her ears are

> still full of fluid.

>

> in Manassas, VA

>

> All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each post is

the intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

>

April 28, 2006

Ian had tubes with his HA's and didn't have any extra adjustments. They just

kept the ears infection free. They were a godsend!

Tawnya

Re: edging closer to ear tubes---What are your

experiences?

Hi - there are other parents on this list who have kids who wear

hearing aids with tubes - I'm sure they'll get back with you on it!

Barbara

lpepalis wrote:

> We thought we were home free after my daughter's double ear infection

> cleared up and she was fluid free for a while, but today she had fluid

> again at our audiology appointment and I am feeling like we may need

> to go the route of getting ear tubes. I am curious to hear from other

> parents who have children with SNL and decided to get tubes as well

> for fluid issues.

>

> Our audiologist is very supportive and has said she will treat us

> based upon whatever decision we make. If we decide against tubes we

> will be going more often to adjust the aids more often based upon

> whether there is fluid or not.

>

> We are concerned about the clarity of her speech at this point.

> Everyone seems to think we should be better right now. We have had a

> huge burst in speech since the ear infections left, but she is still

> delayed.

>

> In some ways I think it should be so easy to just say, put in the ear

> tubes, but I don't know anyone who has a child with hearing aids who

> had to have ear tubes. Some moms I know have kids without SNL have

> had ear tubes because of ear infections and are thrilled, but I just

> get really nervous about my daughter's ears.

>

> I think I posted a bit about this earlier when we were in the midst of

> the ear infections, but now it seems like I really need to go ahead

> and push myself to make that decision and it seems like I am leaning

> toward the tubes, especially since it is now spring and her ears are

> still full of fluid.

>

> in Manassas, VA

>

> All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each post is

the intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

>

April 28, 2006

Ian had tubes with his HA's and didn't have any extra adjustments. They just

kept the ears infection free. They were a godsend!

Tawnya

Re: edging closer to ear tubes---What are your

experiences?

Hi - there are other parents on this list who have kids who wear

hearing aids with tubes - I'm sure they'll get back with you on it!

Barbara

lpepalis wrote:

> We thought we were home free after my daughter's double ear infection

> cleared up and she was fluid free for a while, but today she had fluid

> again at our audiology appointment and I am feeling like we may need

> to go the route of getting ear tubes. I am curious to hear from other

> parents who have children with SNL and decided to get tubes as well

> for fluid issues.

>

> Our audiologist is very supportive and has said she will treat us

> based upon whatever decision we make. If we decide against tubes we

> will be going more often to adjust the aids more often based upon

> whether there is fluid or not.

>

> We are concerned about the clarity of her speech at this point.

> Everyone seems to think we should be better right now. We have had a

> huge burst in speech since the ear infections left, but she is still

> delayed.

>

> In some ways I think it should be so easy to just say, put in the ear

> tubes, but I don't know anyone who has a child with hearing aids who

> had to have ear tubes. Some moms I know have kids without SNL have

> had ear tubes because of ear infections and are thrilled, but I just

> get really nervous about my daughter's ears.

>

> I think I posted a bit about this earlier when we were in the midst of

> the ear infections, but now it seems like I really need to go ahead

> and push myself to make that decision and it seems like I am leaning

> toward the tubes, especially since it is now spring and her ears are

> still full of fluid.

>

> in Manassas, VA

>

> All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each post is

the intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

>

April 28, 2006

In our case with , the tubes (on her 3rd set now) were all she needed

for a severe conductive loss. We originally thought she was going to need HAs

as well, but she is low normal when her tymps aren't flat.

Just thinking out loud here, but if there was a lot of fluid in her ears,

wouldn't hearing aids just amplify that underwater quality of sound? Does that

make sense? I'm just curious.

Cherie

lpepalis wrote:

> We thought we were home free after my daughter's double ear infection

> cleared up and she was fluid free for a while, but today she had fluid

> again at our audiology appointment and I am feeling like we may need

> to go the route of getting ear tubes. I am curious to hear from other

> parents who have children with SNL and decided to get tubes as well

> for fluid issues.

>

> Our audiologist is very supportive and has said she will treat us

> based upon whatever decision we make. If we decide against tubes we

> will be going more often to adjust the aids more often based upon

> whether there is fluid or not.

>

> We are concerned about the clarity of her speech at this point.

> Everyone seems to think we should be better right now. We have had a

> huge burst in speech since the ear infections left, but she is still

> delayed.

>

> In some ways I think it should be so easy to just say, put in the ear

> tubes, but I don't know anyone who has a child with hearing aids who

> had to have ear tubes. Some moms I know have kids without SNL have

> had ear tubes because of ear infections and are thrilled, but I just

> get really nervous about my daughter's ears.

>

> I think I posted a bit about this earlier when we were in the midst of

> the ear infections, but now it seems like I really need to go ahead

> and push myself to make that decision and it seems like I am leaning

> toward the tubes, especially since it is now spring and her ears are

> still full of fluid.

>

> in Manassas, VA

>

> All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each post is

the intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

>

April 28, 2006

In our case with , the tubes (on her 3rd set now) were all she needed

for a severe conductive loss. We originally thought she was going to need HAs

as well, but she is low normal when her tymps aren't flat.

Just thinking out loud here, but if there was a lot of fluid in her ears,

wouldn't hearing aids just amplify that underwater quality of sound? Does that

make sense? I'm just curious.

Cherie

lpepalis wrote:

> We thought we were home free after my daughter's double ear infection

> cleared up and she was fluid free for a while, but today she had fluid

> again at our audiology appointment and I am feeling like we may need

> to go the route of getting ear tubes. I am curious to hear from other

> parents who have children with SNL and decided to get tubes as well

> for fluid issues.

>

> Our audiologist is very supportive and has said she will treat us

> based upon whatever decision we make. If we decide against tubes we

> will be going more often to adjust the aids more often based upon

> whether there is fluid or not.

>

> We are concerned about the clarity of her speech at this point.

> Everyone seems to think we should be better right now. We have had a

> huge burst in speech since the ear infections left, but she is still

> delayed.

>

> In some ways I think it should be so easy to just say, put in the ear

> tubes, but I don't know anyone who has a child with hearing aids who

> had to have ear tubes. Some moms I know have kids without SNL have

> had ear tubes because of ear infections and are thrilled, but I just

> get really nervous about my daughter's ears.

>

> I think I posted a bit about this earlier when we were in the midst of

> the ear infections, but now it seems like I really need to go ahead

> and push myself to make that decision and it seems like I am leaning

> toward the tubes, especially since it is now spring and her ears are

> still full of fluid.

>

> in Manassas, VA

>

> All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each post is

the intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

>

April 28, 2006

Hi, Clara is getting her second set of tubes May 9. She is not aided,

but I just wanted to post because we noticed such a dramitic

difference after the first set of tubes were put in when she was 20

months. She wasn't talking much before the tubes, but her language

really took off shortly afterwards. I think the tubes made a big

difference for her. She has a severe/profound SNL in her left ear.

Her right ear is normal in her right, unless fluid is blocking it of

course.

Good luck, no matter what you decide.

April 28, 2006

Hi, Clara is getting her second set of tubes May 9. She is not aided,

but I just wanted to post because we noticed such a dramitic

difference after the first set of tubes were put in when she was 20

months. She wasn't talking much before the tubes, but her language

really took off shortly afterwards. I think the tubes made a big

difference for her. She has a severe/profound SNL in her left ear.

Her right ear is normal in her right, unless fluid is blocking it of

course.

Good luck, no matter what you decide.

April 28, 2006

I have 3 yr old triplets (GGB) and my two girls (GG) have mild/mod SNHL and wear

BTE aids. They also have tubes in both ears. In fact, one girl is on her

SECOND set of tubes due to persistant fluid buildup (very few infections, mostly

fluid). Until she got the tubes, she always tested flat on tympano, etc. She

just heard muffles, even with her HAs. The surgery (ies) were no big deal, and

the joy of avoiding ear infections and resulting antibiotic Rxs is fabulous.

Edith

edging closer to ear tubes---What are your experiences?

We thought we were home free after my daughter's double ear infection

cleared up and she was fluid free for a while, but today she had fluid

again at our audiology appointment and I am feeling like we may need

to go the route of getting ear tubes. I am curious to hear from other

parents who have children with SNL and decided to get tubes as well

for fluid issues.

Our audiologist is very supportive and has said she will treat us

based upon whatever decision we make. If we decide against tubes we

will be going more often to adjust the aids more often based upon

whether there is fluid or not.

We are concerned about the clarity of her speech at this point.

Everyone seems to think we should be better right now. We have had a

huge burst in speech since the ear infections left, but she is still

delayed.

In some ways I think it should be so easy to just say, put in the ear

tubes, but I don't know anyone who has a child with hearing aids who

had to have ear tubes. Some moms I know have kids without SNL have

had ear tubes because of ear infections and are thrilled, but I just

get really nervous about my daughter's ears.

I think I posted a bit about this earlier when we were in the midst of

the ear infections, but now it seems like I really need to go ahead

and push myself to make that decision and it seems like I am leaning

toward the tubes, especially since it is now spring and her ears are

still full of fluid.

in Manassas, VA

All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each post is

the intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

April 28, 2006

,

My HOH son who has several hearing issues including LVAS has had tubes

steadily from the age of 6 to the present (he'll be 17 next month).

Unquestionably, they have helped his hearing. In fact, each time they

were inserted, he would be upset by some " terrible noise " that usually

turned out to be the refrigerator which he had never heard before.

Further, his speech improved because he was hearing more clearly. In

addition, I am sure that they saved him from many ear infections. A

month ago, I would have recommended them without reservation. At the

present, I would still recommend them, but would like to pass on his

recent experiences.

His most recent set of tubes was inserted 3 years ago. They were made

of some kind of " super " material. His doctor was hoping that they would

last for more than the 6-9 months, which was the lifetime of what had

had. My son wears hearing aids. One of these tubes had dropped out

about a year ago and because he had no drainage problems, it was not

replaced. A few months ago, his doctor felt that the other tube was

becoming problematic. It was no longer working, and was possibly

causing infections. She recommended that it be removed in an out

patient procedure. Because my son was very resistant to the idea of yet

another " surgery " and wanted to let it fall out, she suggested that he

could wait through the winter.

However, about a month ago, he noticed some " black stuff " in his ear

canal. He is an art student and though it was drawing charcoal. When

his ear began to hurt, he went to the doctor who said that he had a

fungal infection in his ear. He needed the tube removed right away. It

took a couple of days to schedue the surgery. The tube was removed, and

the infection vacuumed out. A few days later, he noticed more fungus

(this is big fungi) and his ear hurt. He went back to the doctor who

said that the infection was back, but because his hole hadn't closed up

yet, she couldn't use the most effective fugicide drops, because they

could get into his middle ear, causing hearing loss. She painted his

ear with topical fungicide. He had to go back for this treatment 5

times in two weeks. For him this entailed missing lots of school,

because the doctor is about an hour and a half away. Yesterday, he went

back to see her. She said that the fungal infection was under control,

but he now has a serious bacterial infection. She put him on

antibiotics, but is concerned because the bacteria keep the fungi in

check. By killing them, a cycle of infections may occur. Meanwhile, he

hasn't worn his HA for that ear in a month and his hearing is down,

hopefully temporarily. On the other hand, maybe he will lose that ear.

On the third hand-hmmm, he may need another tube inserted in that ear

when everything is cleared up.

If you get the tubes, I would encourage you to be sure that they are

checked regularly, no matter what advice you are given. The ear canal,

when close off on one side by a plastic mold is breeding ground.

Yesterday afternoon, another ENT popped into our DR's office to see

what was going on. When he was told, he suggested that we buy an

electric ear canal dryer. He said he had read about them in a journal

although he hadn't actually had someone use one. I googled it whan I

got home, and they actually exist. I am ordering one very soon.

edging closer to ear tubes---What are your

experiences?

We thought we were home free after my daughter's double ear infection

cleared up and she was fluid free for a while, but today she had fluid

again at our audiology appointment and I am feeling like we may need

to go the route of getting ear tubes. I am curious to hear from other

parents who have children with SNL and decided to get tubes as well

for fluid issues.

Our audiologist is very supportive and has said she will treat us

based upon whatever decision we make. If we decide against tubes we

will be going more often to adjust the aids more often based upon

whether there is fluid or not.

We are concerned about the clarity of her speech at this point.

Everyone seems to think we should be better right now. We have had a

huge burst in speech since the ear infections left, but she is still

delayed.

In some ways I think it should be so easy to just say, put in the ear

tubes, but I don't know anyone who has a child with hearing aids who

had to have ear tubes. Some moms I know have kids without SNL have

had ear tubes because of ear infections and are thrilled, but I just

get really nervous about my daughter's ears.

I think I posted a bit about this earlier when we were in the midst of

the ear infections, but now it seems like I really need to go ahead

and push myself to make that decision and it seems like I am leaning

toward the tubes, especially since it is now spring and her ears are

still full of fluid.

in Manassas, VA

All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each

post is the

intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

April 28, 2006

Wow ! Are the open earmolds an option that might help?

We are doing tubes next week along with tonsils and adnoids out for

my 3.5 year old next week. We don't know yet if he has LVAS as my

oldest does, as we have not done a CT scan and he has yet to

cooperate with a full hearing test. We have not been recommended to

do an ABR, perhaps because of the fluid?? The frequencies they did

test showed a 30-40 db loss and his speech is very " slurred " ,

although he has a huge vocabulary. We are hoping that once we get

the fluid out, everything else will resolve. I had no idea that

fluid issue could continue forever. I thought that was age related

and he would be growing out of it!

Hope that your son get's that fungus/bacteria cycle under control

soon.

T

>

> ,

>

> My HOH son who has several hearing issues including LVAS has had

tubes

> steadily from the age of 6 to the present (he'll be 17 next

month).

> Unquestionably, they have helped his hearing. In fact, each time

they

> were inserted, he would be upset by some " terrible noise " that

usually

> turned out to be the refrigerator which he had never heard before.

> Further, his speech improved because he was hearing more clearly.

In

> addition, I am sure that they saved him from many ear infections.

A

> month ago, I would have recommended them without reservation. At

the

> present, I would still recommend them, but would like to pass on

his

> recent experiences.

>

> His most recent set of tubes was inserted 3 years ago. They were

made

> of some kind of " super " material. His doctor was hoping that they

would

> last for more than the 6-9 months, which was the lifetime of what

had

> had. My son wears hearing aids. One of these tubes had dropped out

> about a year ago and because he had no drainage problems, it was

not

> replaced. A few months ago, his doctor felt that the other tube

was

> becoming problematic. It was no longer working, and was possibly

> causing infections. She recommended that it be removed in an out

> patient procedure. Because my son was very resistant to the idea

of yet

> another " surgery " and wanted to let it fall out, she suggested

that he

> could wait through the winter.

>

> However, about a month ago, he noticed some " black stuff " in his

ear

> canal. He is an art student and though it was drawing charcoal.

When

> his ear began to hurt, he went to the doctor who said that he had

a

> fungal infection in his ear. He needed the tube removed right

away. It

> took a couple of days to schedue the surgery. The tube was

removed, and

> the infection vacuumed out. A few days later, he noticed more

fungus

> (this is big fungi) and his ear hurt. He went back to the doctor

who

> said that the infection was back, but because his hole hadn't

closed up

> yet, she couldn't use the most effective fugicide drops, because

they

> could get into his middle ear, causing hearing loss. She painted

his

> ear with topical fungicide. He had to go back for this treatment 5

> times in two weeks. For him this entailed missing lots of school,

> because the doctor is about an hour and a half away. Yesterday, he

went

> back to see her. She said that the fungal infection was under

control,

> but he now has a serious bacterial infection. She put him on

> antibiotics, but is concerned because the bacteria keep the fungi

in

> check. By killing them, a cycle of infections may occur.

Meanwhile, he

> hasn't worn his HA for that ear in a month and his hearing is

down,

> hopefully temporarily. On the other hand, maybe he will lose that

ear.

> On the third hand-hmmm, he may need another tube inserted in that

ear

> when everything is cleared up.

>

> If you get the tubes, I would encourage you to be sure that they

are

> checked regularly, no matter what advice you are given. The ear

canal,

> when close off on one side by a plastic mold is breeding ground.

> Yesterday afternoon, another ENT popped into our DR's office to

see

> what was going on. When he was told, he suggested that we buy an

> electric ear canal dryer. He said he had read about them in a

journal

> although he hadn't actually had someone use one. I googled it whan

I

> got home, and they actually exist. I am ordering one very soon.

>

> edging closer to ear tubes---What are your

> experiences?

>

> We thought we were home free after my daughter's double ear

infection

> cleared up and she was fluid free for a while, but today she had

fluid

> again at our audiology appointment and I am feeling like we may

need

> to go the route of getting ear tubes. I am curious to hear from

other

> parents who have children with SNL and decided to get tubes as well

> for fluid issues.

>

> Our audiologist is very supportive and has said she will treat us

> based upon whatever decision we make. If we decide against tubes

we

> will be going more often to adjust the aids more often based upon

> whether there is fluid or not.

>

> We are concerned about the clarity of her speech at this point.

> Everyone seems to think we should be better right now. We have

had a

> huge burst in speech since the ear infections left, but she is

still

> delayed.

>

> In some ways I think it should be so easy to just say, put in the

ear

> tubes, but I don't know anyone who has a child with hearing aids

who

> had to have ear tubes. Some moms I know have kids without SNL have

> had ear tubes because of ear infections and are thrilled, but I

just

> get really nervous about my daughter's ears.

>

> I think I posted a bit about this earlier when we were in the

midst of

> the ear infections, but now it seems like I really need to go ahead

> and push myself to make that decision and it seems like I am

leaning

> toward the tubes, especially since it is now spring and her ears

are

> still full of fluid.

>

> in Manassas, VA

>

> All messages posted to this list are private and confidential.

Each

> post is the

> intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to

copyright

> restrictions.

>

April 28, 2006

That's a good suggestion, I'll check into it.

edging closer to ear tubes---What are your

> experiences?

>

> We thought we were home free after my daughter's double ear

infection

> cleared up and she was fluid free for a while, but today she had

fluid

> again at our audiology appointment and I am feeling like we may

need

> to go the route of getting ear tubes. I am curious to hear from

other

> parents who have children with SNL and decided to get tubes as well

> for fluid issues.

>

> Our audiologist is very supportive and has said she will treat us

> based upon whatever decision we make. If we decide against tubes

we

> will be going more often to adjust the aids more often based upon

> whether there is fluid or not.

>

> We are concerned about the clarity of her speech at this point.

> Everyone seems to think we should be better right now. We have

had a

> huge burst in speech since the ear infections left, but she is

still

> delayed.

>

> In some ways I think it should be so easy to just say, put in the

ear

> tubes, but I don't know anyone who has a child with hearing aids

who

> had to have ear tubes. Some moms I know have kids without SNL have

> had ear tubes because of ear infections and are thrilled, but I

just

> get really nervous about my daughter's ears.

>

> I think I posted a bit about this earlier when we were in the

midst of

> the ear infections, but now it seems like I really need to go ahead

> and push myself to make that decision and it seems like I am

leaning

> toward the tubes, especially since it is now spring and her ears

are

> still full of fluid.

>

> in Manassas, VA

>

> All messages posted to this list are private and confidential.

Each

> post is the

> intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to

copyright

> restrictions.

>

April 28, 2006

That's a good suggestion, I'll check into it.

edging closer to ear tubes---What are your

> experiences?

>

> We thought we were home free after my daughter's double ear

infection

> cleared up and she was fluid free for a while, but today she had

fluid

> again at our audiology appointment and I am feeling like we may

need

> to go the route of getting ear tubes. I am curious to hear from

other

> parents who have children with SNL and decided to get tubes as well

> for fluid issues.

>

> Our audiologist is very supportive and has said she will treat us

> based upon whatever decision we make. If we decide against tubes

we

> will be going more often to adjust the aids more often based upon

> whether there is fluid or not.

>

> We are concerned about the clarity of her speech at this point.

> Everyone seems to think we should be better right now. We have

had a

> huge burst in speech since the ear infections left, but she is

still

> delayed.

>

> In some ways I think it should be so easy to just say, put in the

ear

> tubes, but I don't know anyone who has a child with hearing aids

who

> had to have ear tubes. Some moms I know have kids without SNL have

> had ear tubes because of ear infections and are thrilled, but I

just

> get really nervous about my daughter's ears.

>

> I think I posted a bit about this earlier when we were in the

midst of

> the ear infections, but now it seems like I really need to go ahead

> and push myself to make that decision and it seems like I am

leaning

> toward the tubes, especially since it is now spring and her ears

are

> still full of fluid.

>

> in Manassas, VA

>

> All messages posted to this list are private and confidential.

Each

> post is the

> intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to

copyright

> restrictions.

>

April 28, 2006

If you are hesitant about the surgery, you might try a dairy elimination diet.

For some kids, an underlying allergy to milk seems to cause middle ear fluid,

which of course invites infection.

We thought we were home free after my daughter's double ear infection

cleared up and she was fluid free for a while, but today she had fluid

again at our audiology appointment and I am feeling like we may need

to go the route of getting ear tubes. I am curious to hear from other

parents who have children with SNL and decided to get tubes as well

for fluid issues.

April 29, 2006

had 4 sets of tubes. She would have so much fluid (goo) built up

in her ears that it would eventually push them out. However, when she

had the tubes her ears would not be infected. I could almost always

tell with in a couple of weeks when her tubes were out because the

infections would start again.

She wore hearing aids at the time which caused a problem with her ears

as well. We just had a terrible time trying to keep them dry and clear.

Her first set of tubes was at 13 months and her hearing aids at 14

months. Sometimes her tubes would last 6 months sometimes a year. Her

last set was put in when she was 4 years old. Basically, she had a set

per year for 4 years. Then she had a cochlear implant at age 5. After

the implant, she has not had but 2 ear infections (she is 8 now). She

also does not wear her aids either. So, I am not sure why the

change.age or nothing in her ears any more. For us, tubes was a

terrific way to go. I tried the diet route as well. It didn't help

with her. When her ears were infected and so painful she couldn't wear

her hearing aids. We also would sterilize the molds and the tubes daily

to make sure we weren't carrying the ear infection around with hearing

aids. It was a viscious cycle for us. I am grateful that we don't have

to deal with that often any more.

This has been our experience. Hope it helps.

Tammy

Mom to ,14 and ,11 both normal hearing, and ,8

profoundly deaf with MedEl CI. 8/2003

Tamala S. Woodburn

Creative Memories Consultant

www.creativememories.com/TammyWoodburn

Re: edging closer to ear tubes---What are your

experiences?

If you are hesitant about the surgery, you might try a dairy elimination

diet. For some kids, an underlying allergy to milk seems to cause

middle ear fluid, which of course invites infection.

We thought we were home free after my daughter's double ear infection

cleared up and she was fluid free for a while, but today she had fluid

again at our audiology appointment and I am feeling like we may need

to go the route of getting ear tubes. I am curious to hear from other

parents who have children with SNL and decided to get tubes as well

for fluid issues.

April 29, 2006