https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Jul 2026 13:26:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810415 Sat, 17 Mar 2018 08:04:32 +0000 gotkimchi 2810415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Miss Ariel: I also read over 3 is a better age</p> <p>@Mama Bird: this is very interesting and I’m going to look into thjs </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810411 Sat, 17 Mar 2018 00:31:22 +0000 Mama Bird 2810411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: our ENT has some kind of cutoff for how enlarged the adenoids are before recommending surgery. I think 30% but I'm not sure. DS's were definitely enlarged, but under the cutoff, so the ENT prescribed a longer course of antibiotics and then a follow up. They shrank enough at the follow up that we didn't need surgery, and the treatment cut down the number of ear infections big time. Apparently a short course of antibiotics every 1-2 months was only enough to take the edge off the inflammation, but it was never getting fully treated. DS went from having ear infections almost monthly, to maybe two in several years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810397 Fri, 16 Mar 2018 21:23:30 +0000 Miss Ariel 2810397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: our ent said she doesn’t like to remove adenoids unless they’re over 3 or have some of the problems you listed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810382 Fri, 16 Mar 2018 20:00:42 +0000 gotkimchi 2810382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnleaves: I’ve done a little reading on adenoids and I think we won’t do it for now. He doesn’t have a lot of the stuff it talks about for those - snoring, mouth breathing etc </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810360 Fri, 16 Mar 2018 15:24:45 +0000 autumnleaves 2810360@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: I am happy they are open to the tubes now and you don't have to wait it out much longer. DS2 was 16 months and the doctor said we could remove adenoids but he didn't say should. We decided to just do tubes and so far it seems to have worked well but we are headed into that time of year that was so hard for us last year with all the ear infections so we will see. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810315 Fri, 16 Mar 2018 13:33:48 +0000 gotkimchi 2810315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Forgot to add, they also said we could/should take adenoids out too. Anyone have advice or recommendations for or against that? I’m leaning towards no at the moment </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810295 Fri, 16 Mar 2018 12:28:45 +0000 gotkimchi 2810295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Update - they will be doing tubes, protocol is 3 infections in 6mo here gets tubes </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810289 Fri, 16 Mar 2018 12:15:55 +0000 kiddosc 2810289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pretty much just walked into our appt. saying that I wanted tubes. Since your LO is already in speech therapy because of the build-up of fluid, I don't suspect that you'll get much push back. Advocate for your LO if they suggest waiting, tell the ENT that you've done waiting periods and the fluid has never cleared. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810288 Fri, 16 Mar 2018 12:12:24 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2810288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DS had multiple ear infections and one recurring one that required the Rocephine shots. He also had an ear drum rupture. Our ped referred us to an ENT and at our first appointment they did a hearing test (no issues). Saw fluid and scheduled tubes a few weeks later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810237 Fri, 16 Mar 2018 09:54:05 +0000 kayla0416 2810237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In our area they do ENT referral after 3 infections in 6 months. My daughter had a 4th infection while we were waiting for our appointment after getting referred. Oral antibiotics stopped working for her and she had to have 2 rounds of the 3 Rocephin shots. Our ENT requires an Audiology appointment directly before the ENT appointment, and she was found to have mild hearing loss. ENT suggested tubes pretty quickly. Got tubes about 3 weeks later and both ears were infected on the day of surgery. </p> <p>Everyone I know that's been referred to ENT for ear infections comes out with tubes. I'm surprised to hear how different it is in different parts of the country! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810215 Fri, 16 Mar 2018 08:51:29 +0000 gotkimchi 2810215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: the ent for my daughter said most kids can clear fluid themselves within 2 weeks and 90% in 12 weeks. So if it’s just fluid a recheck in 2 weeks is probably appropriate. But I’m sorry you’re getting a run around it’s soooo frustrating! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810214 Fri, 16 Mar 2018 08:51:01 +0000 Ajsmommy 2810214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skinnycow: @tinyperson: thank you. Your responses make me feel a bit better </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810212 Fri, 16 Mar 2018 08:27:37 +0000 tinyperson 2810212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: Our now 22 month old had 4 ear infections last spring - last one in June. We were referred to the ENT, had a hearing test, where she tested with a 20% hearing loss due to fluid. She advised using Hydrasense (infant version) with the kid sitting up and pointing the nozzle as straight back as you could to help push fluid out. We've had follow-ups, but no further ear infections. At our latest appointment, he didn't do a hearing test, but there was still fluid. He said if it's not affecting her speech (and it's really not, her speech is developing day by day - her daycare teachers say she's perfectly in line with the other kids her age), then he says tubes are up to us. We have a follow up in May with a hearing test and we'll see what the effect on her hearing is at that point and make a decision. If we can avoid surgery, then great -- obviously, if she'd had more infections or her speech were affected, we would be pushing for the tubes, but we agree with our doctor that waiting it out might be best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810210 Fri, 16 Mar 2018 08:04:23 +0000 skinnycow 2810210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: I don't know the exact answer to your question but my daughter ALWAYS had fluid in her ears before tubes. We'd take her to a well check (with no ear infection) and they commented on the fluid in her ears every single time. I don't think it's an issue as long as the ear isn't infected. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810204 Fri, 16 Mar 2018 07:46:07 +0000 Ajsmommy 2810204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is right on time for me and I don't want to thread jack so if you'd rather I start another post just let me know @gotkimchi: </p> <p>Ds is one and we were referred to have his hearing tested bc as a newborn he had antibiotics during a hospital stay. He's had two ear infections total in 12 mos </p> <p>At his well visit for 1 yr dr said he had fluid in both ears but it wasn't infected and she didn't seem to even think twice about it...</p> <p>We made the appt for his hearing and went yesterday. He has a cold/runny nose.....He passed the hearing test but she noted fluid in his ears and assumed ear infection bc of his runny nose. She said she'd notify his pedi and that they mighy give him antibiotics. I called pedi after leaving and they wouldn't even see him bc no fever and no trouble sleeping...I guess they don't think it's an ear infection.</p> <p>So my question is....what is the fluid in his ears??? And is it a problem? Should someone be doing something about it?? Should I push the pedi to see him?? </p> <p>The ear specialist said she'd see him two weeks after antibiotics...BUT he's not even on antibiotics...??? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810196 Fri, 16 Mar 2018 06:43:16 +0000 gotkimchi 2810196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will keep everyone posted </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810182 Thu, 15 Mar 2018 22:30:33 +0000 gingerbebe 2810182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our HMO does ENT referrals when your kid gets 4 ear infections within 6 months. Once you’re seen by ENT, surgery was all but a given for us. </p> <p>DS1 ended up with a speech delay because of his infections (lots of fluid and he didn’t get tubes until 22 months) so we took DS2 to get his ears checked every time he got sick and were pretty happy he got his referral at 10 months. No speech delays! </p> <p>DS1 just had his tubes redone and DS2 is probably going to need a new set soon as well. We are ear infection machines around here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810174 Thu, 15 Mar 2018 20:59:26 +0000 Miss Ariel 2810174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: hopefully you have a similar outcome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810173 Thu, 15 Mar 2018 20:52:04 +0000 SweetCaroline 2810173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: got it! I was wondering that. I had my ear drum rupture several times as a kid. No fun. Good luck mama!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810171 Thu, 15 Mar 2018 20:51:07 +0000 gotkimchi 2810171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Miss Ariel: this gives me hope! And also I think it can affect speech that early but they bounce back so quickly when they’re little! It’s much harder with my 4yo </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810170 Thu, 15 Mar 2018 20:50:25 +0000 gotkimchi 2810170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: the drops were after his ear drum ruptured :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810169 Thu, 15 Mar 2018 20:47:03 +0000 Miss Ariel 2810169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took Ds to the doctor on Tuesday. A week earlier he had finally cleared an ear infection after two doses of antibodies, but if was already back. She was able to get us an appointment for an ent immediately so we didn’t even go home. Then today, two days later, he had surgery.</p> <p>The ent said 4 in 6 months (I think?) which he was definitely above. She did ask if it impacted his hearing, I’m not sure but he’s 16 months and not really talking, so maybe? I was surprised at how quickly it all happened though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810164 Thu, 15 Mar 2018 20:18:35 +0000 SweetCaroline 2810164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: so interesting. I am not a doctor, but is your Ds getting middle ear infections? And were the drops prescribed to treat the infection? Seems odd because my understanding is the ear drum would prevent those drops from actually getting to the infection (unless he had tubes). When DD did not respond to oral antibiotics and the Dr felt it was bacterial, she received a shot of Rocephin antibiotic which was very effective. I hated having to do that and avoid antibiotics in general, so was relieved when DD finally did get tubes at 10 months.</p> <p>DD had her first ear infection at 4 months. Her ear infections were not as frequent as they were difficult to treat. It was few very long ear infections as opposed to several shorter infections. So--im sure it depends on your specific experience and your doctor. I hope you get a resolution soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810155 Thu, 15 Mar 2018 20:03:05 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2810155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: yes! I asked the audiologist at the hearing test and she said it’s pretty much like having water in your ears. So not like you can’t hear but the words are muddled. How annoying would that be?! Our ENT totally brushes off the speech problems as well and sees if he’s improving with the SLP, the tubes aren’t required. I can’t even think of how his speech could have been way less of a struggle if we just did the damn tubes 1.5 years ago.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810154 Thu, 15 Mar 2018 20:01:18 +0000 MrsBeluga 2810154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: Hey there! We were referred to an ENT after our son had 4 double ear infections in 6 months. The first ENT we met wanted us to come back in 2 months - he wanted to wait and see. Well we waited, our son had another double ear infection, and we took him to a different ENT. We scheduled a hearing test before meeting with the second ENT. Turns out our son has mild hearing loss due to constant fluid in the middle ear on top of the ear infections. Needless to say a month after meeting the second ENT our kiddo got his tubes. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810152 Thu, 15 Mar 2018 19:42:19 +0000 gotkimchi 2810152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@muffinsmuffins: that is soooo frustrating and sounds a lot like our daughter - so many hearing tests and appts just for them to be like she had a normal hearing test so even if there is fluid it’s not affecting hearing. But it’s affecting speech!!! So I’m REALLY trying to avoid it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810146 Thu, 15 Mar 2018 19:19:05 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2810146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We’ve been going back and forth with our ENT since DS was two. Referred due to mouth breathing, snoring, speech disorder and enlarged adenoids. He’s had one normal hearing test, 3 inconclusive in that time and there is constantly fluid in his ears. This ENT has taken a wait and see approach for almost 1.5 years with us and refused to do tubes due to his hearing tests being borderline. Needless to say we have been waiting for a second opinion for the last couple months (Canada wait lists are crazy) I hope you get your surgery as it’s so annoying going back and forth. Yet another hearing test for us next month :meh:</p> <p>ETA: ours did steroid nasal spray for a bit as a conservative approach for adenoids after our first visit. Other than that it’s been wait and see. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810145 Thu, 15 Mar 2018 19:08:00 +0000 bhbee 2810145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: i would definitely bring it up then! Both can they see the fluid buildup and maybe a hearing test. Good luck, it’s so hard to see them sick all the time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810144 Thu, 15 Mar 2018 18:56:39 +0000 gotkimchi 2810144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: this is what I’m worried about because lo1 def hung on to fluid but it was never infected but it has impacted her speech and now she is in speech therapy :( so we don’t want that to happen again </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/referred-to-ent#post-2810143 Thu, 15 Mar 2018 18:37:00 +0000 bhbee 2810143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My lo was 11m when we went but about the same time frame of illness (sick all the time for 4m) and our ENT said yes schedule tubes on the first visit. And he was supposedly not a surgery pusher.<br /> In addition to just not shaking infections, there can be fluid built up that’s a problem for hearing and language development. He saw that in our case so definitely worth asking about as 21m is a big age for language. Tubes were a huge improvement for us! And draining the fluid at the same time helped I’m sure. The anesthesia was scary of course but overall worth it. </p>