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For parents of little ones, you know, it’s the time of year for ear infections.

And for a lot of kids, this is a recurring problem. Every week, 10,000 kids are getting ear tubes placed in the U.S. for recurring ear infections.

It’s been thought that developmental delays are related to ear infections, and that placing ear tubes could prevent this problem.

But the latest research says, maybe not.

Three and a half year old Ian Miller developed recurring ear problems at around the time he was one.

After six or seven rounds of antibiotics, he had ear tubes placed.

Ian’s mom, Jessica, says, “That went really well, the ear infections stopped, he was much more comfortable, no more screaming and no more antibiotics. So the ear tubes made a difference.”

It’s a good reason for putting in the tubes—the persistence of fluid—and the accompanying problems-- for almost a year.

But worrying about whether ear fluid will cause a child to have long term developmental delays may not be reason enough.

That’s the findings of new research in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Dr. Richard Rosenfeld, Director of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Long Island College Hospital, says, “It’s good news for parents who are thinking “Hey lets wait a while and seeing how the children are doing” before jumping into ear tubes. Waiting doesn’t do harm to children who have no problem to begin with.”

Dr. Rosenfeld says there are two main reasons for putting in ear tubes. “The first are generally very young infants that are getting so many ear infections that they’re in the frequent flier club they are living on antibiotics. Their parents have the numbers of 3 all night pharmacies memorized and these children are miserable. Putting in ear tubes will stop the frequent ear infections in their tracks. The second group are children who are not developing normally with their speech, language, their learning even their school performance.”

That’s what happened when Ian’s tubes fell out.

“I started to notice a change in his behavior, he was playing by himself, he wasn’t talking to the other children, he was more withdrawn. His hearing had actually gotten worst, his class experience had actually gotten worst, and so we decided to go with a second set of tubes,” says Jessica.

And that does make sense, and goes along with the study.

Otherwise, you can put off tubes for six to nine months unless other problems crop up, without worrying about long term developmental problems.

“I think it closes the door on operating on kids who have no problems other than ear fluid for the alleged purpose of preventing a developmental delay,” states Dr. Rosenfeld.

Now, one ENT specialist, Dr. Jordan Josephson of Lenox Hill Hospital, adds that hearing loss from middle ear fluid may cause psychological problems later, because other children may not be responding to him normally.

Bottom line, consult with a board certified otolaryngologist that is familiar with otitis media and sinus and nasal problems, to create the best treatment plan.

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