OK docs, I got another one..perforated ear drums on child
 

My two year old had tubes put in his ears last year but when they fell out they never healed. The holes are about 40% of the total drum. His hearing (as much as they can test it) is in the bottom end of normal.

The doc wants to wait several years before doing a graft as the success rate is much higher. We just use plugs in the bath, shower, pool and away we go.

Any thoughts on this? It just seems odd to me but I do trust the doc.

I lived that as a child- and grafts were not as routine then.

That's what they had me do- putty in the ears before showering or swimming. Then they did the graft and I think I still had putty for awhle after that while it healed. The graft works quite well- my acuity is very good, although certain sounds bug the hell out of me in that ear- anything tinny sounding or high-pitched buzzing really bothers me. Your kid should be fine with this if it works the same.

Did you have infection problems before the graft? Any other issues? Thanks.

My son went through several sets of tubes before they decided to lance the drum. While it wasn't 40% of the drum, it was still a hole. We kept water out as much as possible, and the hole did it's job of allowing the inner ear to drain.

He's 16 now, and his hearing is normal. Not sure if the hole is still there or if it healed.

Len, I had this going on as a kid.
Infections... no more than anyone else.
Just don't put him in some swamp, he should be fine.
I still have a small hole, no issues and scuba..just not very deep.
Keep them clean and dry (don't go crazy)
take this to heart..the biggest thing you should stick into your / his ear canal.
is your ELBOW,
Q-tips push the dirt IN,

Rika

Len, I had this going on as a kid.
Infections... no more than anyone else.
Just don't put him in some swamp, he should be fine.
I still have a small hole, no issues and scuba..just not very deep.
Keep them clean and dry (don't go crazy)
take this to heart..the biggest thing you should stick into your / his ear canal.
is your ELBOW,
Q-tips push the dirt IN,

Rika

Thanks, I feel a bit better after these stories. It's just weird when you see the hole and the bone behind it...just not right.

Before the graft, yes. I had tubes put in twice, and they did that to provide relief for the pressure during infections.

As a young teen, my eardrum once again ruptured during the night (the one with the graft). Amazingly it healed up when the infection went away. I didn't even wake up- I think I have no nerves left in there or something.

Just use lots of putty to keep water out and it will be good I think.