Did you have tubes in your ears as a child? Did you have multiple ear infections as a child but didn't receive tubes in your ears? Are there reasons why as a child with multiple ear infections that tubes were not an option?
Ear infections are the result of the eustachian tube not performing its job. Eustachian tubes are small tubes that run between your middle ear and upper throat. The eustachian tubes are usually closed excepting when a person is chewing, swallowing, or yawning. It is responsible for equalizing the ear pressure and draining fluid from the middle ear, which is the part behind the eardrum. Ear infections or fluid in the middle ear may become a chronic problem leading to other issues, such as hearing loss, poor school performance, behavior and speech problems.
Ear tubes are tiny cylinders placed throughout the eardrum to allow air into the middle ear. Tubes are made out of different types of material and come either as a short-term or long-term. Short-term tubes are smaller and typically last 6-18 months before coming out and long-term tubes are larger and have flanges that secure them in place for longer period of time. The long-term tubes may fall out on their own or have to be removed by an otolaryngologist, an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
Ear tubes are recommended when a person experiences repeated middle ear infection or have hearing loss caused by persistent middle ear fluid. Myringotomy is a surgical incision in the eardrum or tympanic membrane where the ear tubes are placed. The incision is done with a small scalpel under a surgical microscope if the ear tube is not inserted, the hole would heal and close. The ear tube keeps the hole open and allows air to reach the middle ear.
The otolaryngologist may also recommend the removal of the adenoid tissue, lymph tissue that is located in the upper airway behind the nose. Current research shows that the removal of the adenoid tissue concurrent with the placement of ear tubes for persistent middle ear fluid can reduce the risk of recurring ear infections.
As with any surgery, there is a risk, having tubes placed in your ears isn't any different. Perforation may occur, which can happen if the tube comes or a long-term tube is removed and the hole in the eardrum doesn't close. The hole can be patched through a surgical procedure called a tympanoplasty. There is also a chance that any irritation of the eardrum such as recurring ear infections or repeated insertions of ear tubes will cause scarring, called tympansclerosis. The scarring in most cases does not need to be treated and does not cause any problems with hearing. Infections can still occur with a tube in place, it causes ear discharge or drainage.
These infections are infrequent and usually does not cause hearing loss, most will go away on their own or being treated with antibiotic ear drops.Ear tubes may also come out too early or stay for too long if an ear tube expels from the ear drum too soon, fluid may return, and additional surgeries may be necessary. If the ear tubes remain in too long it may result in perforation or may require surgery to remove them.
I had a lot of ear infections when I was a child in the 1970s, so many that my mom has said that if I had my back to her I would not hear her speaking to me. So around 1975, an otolaryngologist told my mom that he needed to find out what was going on with my ears and nasal airway. He discovered that my adenoid tissue was the size of an adult at 3 years of age, he also decided to go ahead and put tubes in my ears. Although putting tubes in my ears helped with the constant ear infections the damaged had already been done. I lost my highs and lows, technically I can't pass a hearing test.
My daughter Jade also had to have tubes in her ears, she had 4-5 ear infections in a few months time. She had gone through several antibiotics and also was rushed to the emergency room with a high fever and ear infection. Tubes was an easy decision for me because without them I would have lost my hearing, so with Jade having mulitple infections the doctors immediately sent her to an otolaryngologist. This was quite different from when I was a child, the doctors did not feel that it was a good option. But, my mom continued to pursue the issue and was finally sent to a specialist. Today tubes have become a normal option for parents when a child has multiple ear infections.