Tubes in Ears - Under 1yo?

One of my 7mo twins has had cronic ear infections for months... raging double ear infections every single time we go to the pediatrician. He puts him on Cefprozil (Amox does not seem to clear his up...) and they clear up by our follow up appointment, but are back again in a few weeks. We have currently "hit our quota" so we are being sent to an ENT - our appointment is tomorrow. His pediatrician is already talking about tubes - he's only 7mo!!! Did anyone's child needs tubes under 1yo and did you go through with the procedure? I just feel like he's so young for this! Curious to see what the ENT will say tomorrow. I really don't want my DS to live on antibiotics!

Tubes in Ears - Under 1yo?

My DS had tubes at 11 months...just about 1 year. We could have done them sooner as he pretty much had chronic infections from about 7 months on.

My decision was made easier when hearing test showed hearing loss which I knew would affect speech. In addition, my son is allergic to penicillin and the antibiotic options left weren't great for ear infections.

We used ENT Allergy in Garden City. Dr. Block was terrific.

DS did great with surgery. Was up and running around a few hours later as if nothing happened. Haven't had any ear infections since.

Re: Tubes in Ears - Under 1yo?

Thank you! We're going to see Dr. Bell in Garden City. He's on Stewart Avenue. I'm really nervous but if the tubes will help him, then that's all that matters. Did they do the hearing test at the first appointment? I'm not really sure what to expect.

Tubes in Ears - Under 1yo?

DS got them around 10.5 months. I thank god every single day he has been a new boy! No hearing test at the first apointment. They actually just checked his hearing a couple of weeks ago. he was more than 6 weeks post op.
Hi hearing is perfect and in range

Tubes in Ears - Under 1yo?

I believe Dr. Bell is in the same practice as Dr. Block. Yes, we had hearing test done, but I had to schedule a separate appointment. We literally went for consult on a Wed. and my DS had surgery the following week. So the time line was a little messed up for us.

Dr. Block requires a hearing test before surgery and after.

Re: Tubes in Ears - Under 1yo?

Thanks ladies!

Tubes in Ears - Under 1yo?

my twins got theirs put in at 7 months - they helped their ear infections the tubes lasted till they were about 20-22 months - then they got a new set

we use Dr. Spencer - my older son also had tubes - so we have a bad family history for tubes

Tubes in Ears - Under 1yo?

I had tubes put in my DS's ears by Dr Zelman, from the same practice as Bell and Block. He had them when he was 13 months old, but Dr. Z wanted to put them in at around 8 months. He had chronic double EI from 6 months on. I waited, but I shouldn't have; I should have put them in as soon as the doc suggested it. The difference in his hearing and overall health was pretty shocking (started really talking very very soon after surgery, and no more ear infections!).

ETA: We see Dr. Bell quite frequently too (sinus inf instead of ear inf now), and he is great.

Message edited 2/6/2014 12:25:30 PM.

Tubes in Ears - Under 1yo?

We're seeing Dr. Gordon tomorrow for a consult (I believe he's part of the same practice). DS has had 3 ear infections, with 3 courses of antibiotics in the past 6 weeks!! I kinda hope they suggest tubes..

Re: Tubes in Ears - Under 1yo?

We used Dr. Sugrue when DD was 10.5 months. Right away we noticed a difference because she was starting to babble different consonance sounds later that day. She had one infection since and that's when she was cutting 3 teeth at the same time. She's barely had any colds this winter either. I suggest meet with the doc and see what he/she says and take it from there. You don't have to make a decision that day.

Re: Tubes in Ears - Under 1yo?

DS just had tubes put in and his adenoids taken out. I know hes older, but it was the best decision ever. Since he had the tubes put in he is talking a lot better and I definitely know he is hearing a lot better. He was on so many antibiotics since October it was ridiculous. Tubes were the best thing!

Re: Tubes in Ears - Under 1yo?

Thanks again everyone!

We saw Dr. Bell and I really really liked him!!
They tested my DS hearing and they put a camera down his nose to check his adenoids. His hearing is perfect despite the congestion, but his adenoids are growing in a weird way... blocking the drainage of his ears. That seems to be the cause right now. He feels as though he's still too young to have them removed, so we are going to hold off for a bit. We have a follow up appointment with him in a month. If at that point he still having the ear infections, then we will revisit the need for tubes.