Plugged Ear Tubes
By glords
@glords (2614)
United States
January 27, 2009 5:10pm CST
My son had ear tubes put in about six months ago, and now the ear troubles are back again. Yesterday I took him to the ENT who told me the ear tubes are still in (different from what his pediatrician said), but they are clogged causing the ear infections. The ENT recommended I continue giving him the ear drops, but I've been doing that for a month now with no success. The ENT also recommended I use q-tips... WHAT?!!? I guess he has never had a child with an ear infection, because there is NO WAY! So... does anyone out there have any advice on how to unplug an eartube. Please Please Please Help!
2 people like this
4 responses
@asgtswife04 (2475)
• United States
28 Jan 09
my second child had ear infections all the time, so they suggested that we did the tubes. we did and his ear infections got worse. it wasn't until one of them fell out that he never had an ear infection again. i would recommend asking the doctor to take them back out. i really don't think they do any good and like i said my son never had another problem with ear infections, but that is my opinion. God bless and keep us posted on how he's doing
2 people like this
@mag_keizer2007 (1282)
• Canada
27 Jan 09
UGH thats a bad one. My 8 year old had tubes put in her ears when she was just a little baby but she had nooo problems she has only had one maybe 2 ear infections since then....but i agreethere is no way you can put q tips in his ears....take him back to your family doctor and ask for a second opinion from a different ent or take him to emergency!!!I know how much pain they cause in children, my daughter would scream for hours because of the pain! They over prescribed Penicllin and now she is allergic to it!!!!
Hopefully everything will work out, give him some advil for the pain!!
@glords (2614)
• United States
28 Jan 09
I didn't know that over prescribing things caused allergies... perhaps that is why I am allergic as well, thats very interesting. They seem to come up with a good blend of antibiotics for my little one... but mostly amoxacillian. Thanks for the advice. I will seek another opinion, maybe several.
@camomom (7535)
• United States
30 Jan 09
I had tubes when I was a kid. Whenever I had problems, they removed them and put new ones in. I've never heard of an ENT telling someone to put Q-tips in their ears. That can cause worse infections or damage to the ear drum. I'd go to a new ENT and a new Pediatrician. Hope it get's worked out for you and your son. Good Luck.
@momtrying2makeit (3270)
• United States
27 Jan 09
I am not sure what the deal is. My daughter they had claimed could not hear out of one ear. Then six months later it was the another. I am not sure about doctors anymore it seems they do not know what they are talking about. I am scared to put my hands into someone that does not seem to really know what they are doing. I know there are some great doctors but I would reccomend seeing someone else and get a second opinion, that is the best advice that I could give you in this matter. Good luck and I hope they figure out what the problem is. Happy mylotting as well! 
I feel sorry for your little guy too, ear infections are no picnic. 
I hope he feels better soon!
I feel sorry for your little guy too, ear infections are no picnic. I hope he feels better soon!@glords (2614)
• United States
27 Jan 09
It is so frustrating... thank you for your empathy. I will keep looking, but its so hard to know who to trust. Yesterday the ENT told me that maybe I should have his tonsils removed too, and then the ear infections might go away. That didn't sound very assuring... it felt like... "Hey I'll keep operating, and maybe I'll figure it out eventually"
