Ear Tubes

Ethan will be having surgery on the 24th to have ear tubes placed in his ears. The surgery, called a myringotomy, is a tiny incision in the eardrum. Any fluid, usually thickened secretions will be removed. In most situations, a small plastic tube (a tympanostomy tube) is inserted into the eardrum to keep the middle ear aerated for a prolonged period of time. These ventilating tubes remain in place for six months to several years. Eventually, they will move out of the eardrum (extrude) and fall into the ear canal.

We have had this procedure mentioned since Ethan was about two years old. He had many repeat chronic ear infections when he was younger. Now, he had a current hearing test and is suffering some hearing loss. He also had standing fluid in both ears that we tried to clear up with antibiotics as a last ditch effort.

The audiologist compared Ethan's hearing to having headphones on. What he hears is muffled and he can't tell how loud he is. We are hoping this surgery will help with his speech as well.

The most worrisome part of the surgery is the fact that he will be put asleep by an anesthesiologist. However, he has been put under for MRI's and a CAT scan before so I am not really worried.

I will keep everyone posted on how the procedure goes!