Difficulty hearing due to scarring? Tubes?

My 2 year old has had many ear infections and a couple months ago a ruptured ear drum. She has never had a hearing test. I kept bringing up my daughter not speaking to family and our pediatrician and they all said to just give it time. I have a feeling theres something not right. Recently I took her to the after hours peds and they said there was scarring on her eardrum and that she should be saying more words than she is. We have a well visit next week so Im going to ask for a referral then. I spoke to a family friend who is a nurse and she said tubes only help drain the ear which may help with hearing, however theres nothing they can do about the scarring? I hope my daughter will not have any issues hearing. Has anyone been told their child had scarring? Has anyone had tubes put in their childs ears? Any ENT recommendations in Suffolk?

Re: Difficulty hearing due to scarring? Tubes?

I am in NJ but my son got tubes this past January at 2 1/2. He was speech delayed due to mild to moderate hearing loss. Since having the tubes, his speech has improved on a daily basis. It is amazing how it was almost instantly! In fact, at his first ENT visit after the tubes, his hearing was perfect! I pretty much broke down in tears in the Drs office
I don't have any doctors to recommend (unless of course you want to come to NJ? ) but wanted to wish you good luck!!

Re: Difficulty hearing due to scarring? Tubes?

Amy, I'm sorry to hear about your little girl!!! Bless her heart!!! I was like your little girl, having repeated ear infections, which, according to an ear specialist from Philadelphia, had scarred my ears so badly it looked like "the Battle of Gettysburg had been fought in them!!". He said he would not put tubes into my ears because it was a miracle I could even hear!!! It was discovered after that visit, and after allergy testing, that I had a ton of allergies causing my infections. I was allergic to trees, grass, weeds, dust, and cigarette smoke (my Parents both smoked in the house) among other things. I got injections with serum, made from dust collected by my Mom, from upholstery and curtains; Was not to be dust from floors. I had allergy shots until I was 21, and at that age, stopped taking them, because I continued to get infections. As an adult, I have chronic otitis media. and my ears are closed a lot from allergies, but I have not had as many infections as in childhood. My hearing is ok, as long as I don't get fluid in my ears from allergies, or outside sources. I have been told by my Dr., to keep my ears "bone dry" . I can't get water in them, and I have learned that I can not put any ear drops in them either. I don't know if any of this will help, but I plan to pray for your Daughter, that she will get the help she needs!!! My heart goes to her!!! Mary

Message edited 7/22/2011 1:46:13 AM.

Re: Difficulty hearing due to scarring? Tubes?

My 13 year old niece has had hearing challenges since she was that age, for the same reasons. She went to speech therapists which helped a lot, her teacher work a mic, etc.

Just a couple months back, she was old enough to have the surgery to remove the scar tissue and see if she could regain some of her hearing loss. The doctors are in Stony Brook.

I'm happy to say, it worked wonderfully and she is now adjusting to a very loud world where she hears sounds she couldn't before. After some more testing in a few weeks, if all is well, she'll make an appointment to have the other ear done.

It's a common tale, and a sad one. But there can be hope, even if it's bad news about the hearing loss.