What alternatives are there to putting tubes in the ears?
154870
A middle ear infection is a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum and often accompanies a head cold, or in young children can occur during teething, or in infancy can even happen if the baby is bottle fed while laying flat.  To relieve the discomfort, OTC pain relievers are usually recommended, and it often helps to apply heat, such as a hot water bottle, against the ear.  If accompanied by fever, antibiotics are often prescribed and it is VERY important to administer them properly for the full dosage to ensure that ALL the bacteria have been killed.  Otherwise, the bacteria can regrow and may become resistant to the milder antibiotics.  \n\n     If the infections keep coming back, or if the fluid doesn't drain even after the antibiotics have killed the bacteria, surgical options may be considered.  This is especially true in the case of young children, if the decrease in hearing is not resolving because it can effect the child's speech development.  The surgeon makes an incision in the eardrum, draws out the fluid, cleans the middle ear space, and usually places a tube through the incision.  The tube simply maintains an opening through the ear drum to maintain equal air pressure in the middle ear.  Most tubes are designed to fall out of the eardrum as the healing process occurs -- usually about six months after surgery.\n\n     The surgery is very common and is done as a same-day procedure in most cases, only because the space is so small that the patient must be very still.  With adults, many specialists will perform the surgery in their office using only a local anesthetic.  If the child snores a lot or has other trouble breathing or frequent sore throats, then inflamed or enlarged adenoids or tonsils may be blocking the Eustachian tube and preventing the fluid from draining.  They may also be removed during the surgery, which is a more difficult recovery, but again, by removing the cause, you no longer have to keep medicating the symptoms.\n\n     Once the tubes are in, most children feel immediate relief and many of those who have had speech difficulties show improvement.  It is important to keep the ears dry so water doesn't get through the tubes into the middle ear space where it can breed infection and cause drainage.  Custom ear plugs provide the best protection, and other types of plugs are available at drug stores.  For swimming it is also helpful to wear a swim cap or special headband that covers the ears and keeps the plugs in place.  These should be available through the Ear doctors' office.\n\n     My son had chronic ear infections as an infant, even though he was breastfed and I was diligent about administering his medications properly.  His father had ear infections his whole life, so I guess he just inherited the tendency for ear infections from his dad.  His first set of tubes was around his first birthday.  The hardest part was not feeding him before and after -- he was so mad and he didn't understand.  Another set of tubes and an adenoidectomy were done when he was five.  Then he started getting frequent throat infections so we had to remove the tonsils a couple years later.  He's now 14 and only gets earaches occasionally.  \n\n     I'll admit that I was still reluctant to go through with surgeries with my own son, even though I'm an Audiologist and see the improvement in many patients year in and year out.  In retrospect, I wish I had been a little less chicken, so he could have had relief sooner in his life.  So although the though of SURGERY sounds so daunting, tubes are actually a more natural alternative than trying all the antibiotics/decongestants/antihistamines under the sun.  If you're not comfortable with the surgeon you've consulted, feel free to seek out a second opinion.
1154383
It's a servere infection in the ear.  You can't let it go...it could cause you problems with hearing loss in the long run.  The only way to get rid of it is to see an Ear, Nose, Throat Specialist and they can prescribe an antibiotic eardrop for you.  Plus, you will most likely get a prescription for anitibiotics to be taken orally.  Small tubes may have to be inserted to help the drainage and prevent future infections.  It doesn't hurt to have them put in...doctors do it right in the office.  I've had them put in several times, as they tend to fall out without you knowing.
1071616
As opposed to artificial?
1130433
check into getting your ears candled.  it is painless and you will be amazed at a) what comes outta there and b) how much better your hearing is.\n\ncandling is really a simple procedure, it is just a paper tube that is coated in a waxy material, it is placed into your ear canal and lit, as it burns down, it draws the ear wax up into the tube.  It is much more effective at getting your ears cleaned than a q-tip that actually will push some of the wax further down into your ear.
720889
Well some ways to prevent ear infections are, not to let cold air in the ear.  Another is don't let them take a bottle or pacifier laying down because that could cause fluid to go into the inner ear.  Also, if they are getting them frequently, ask about tubes.  They are the best thing for a child who has ear infections alot.
541789
If none of the above helps me, I take a small piece of a tissue, roll it so that it is like a thick needle (or a thin Q-tips..) and carefully put it into my ear. Be careful and very cautious as you could hurt yourself as it's quite sharp. But this usually sucks out the liquid well. You may have to repeat it two or three times depending on the amount.\nBut again, be very careful and gentle not to hurt your eardrum!!!
1045072
There's a water/alcohol/borax thighy called "Swim-Ear".  Put some drops inthe ear, I think.  Ask the pharmacist. (It's over the counter and cheap)
137873
Yes. Most drugstores sell a kit with a peroxide/glycerin solution and a bulb that you use over the course of a few days. Has been effective for me. Some people produce excessive ear wax that can be a problem if not removed. I know from experience that if it builds up to the point where a doctor has to remove it that the procedure can be painful.
420854
with cod liver oil  ..\n tilt your head put a few drops in ear  add some cotton wool  leave it over nite works a treat
980521
Ok the cut open potatoe and cigarette smoke may both work but DO NOT under any circumstances put oil in your ear canal.  It will never come out without having your ear completely irrigated by an ear, nose, and throat specialist.  Peroxide is one thing because it's not going to cling to every surface in your ear but do not use oil.\nHeating pads and some ibuprofen or similar pain reliever will work quite well.  Trust me I've gone 20 yrs avoiding getting tubes in my ears because of ear infections.  If you have an appointment with a doctor tomorrow, ride it out with the heating pad and pain reliever and you'll be fine.  Without the pain reliever, you'll have a pretty sleepless night but the doctor will better be able to see what's going on inside your ear.  I wish you well.
822405
Hmm, for an inner ear infection my mom used to put a clove of garlic in our ear.  It was supposed to draw out the infection somehow.  I had inner ear infections a lot as a child, and it always helped the pain if I put a hot water bottle (or rice sock, made by putting about 2 cups of rice in a clean tube sock, tying the end and heating it up in the microwave for a few minutes) over my ear.  Colloidal silver was another remedy that she used (taken orally) on my siblings; zinc, goldenseal, Echinacea, and vitamin C are all helpful for ear infections.  You can get these at most larger drug stores or discount stores and the recommended dosages are on the bottles.\n\nGood luck, I hope you feel better soon!
676308
IUD, birth control pills, birth control patch, sponge, diaphragm, tubes tied, etc. See a doctor to see what method works best for you.
90116
Try this:\n\n1. get a piece of paper towel.\n2. crumple it up\n3. push it into the bottom of a paper cup\n4. Pour steaming hot water into the cup\n5. Pour out the excess water, so you have a steaming paper in the bottom of the cup.\n6. Cup the effected ear with the steaming cup\n7. Wait 2-3 minutes.\n\nIt seems to help me alot.\n\nLet me know if it works for you too.
559179
Oh ok, your added details saved me from giving you a schmatt reply.\n\nGo to your pharmacy and ask for earplugs. They are soft mold-able spongy things that you can use to prop up your glasses from your nose.\n\nAnother idea is Dr. Schulz Moleskin. You can cut little pieces to adhere to those little plastic nose pads.\n\nI think my earplug modification works best so, just keep think. Necessity is the mother of invention?\n\nThe dark spots should take care of themselves if you can find a way to take the pressure off of them.
1045502
I'll have to go with tubes
272999
A doctor can fix it by flushing it(irrigation i think). Feels alot better the next day. Sometimes it is just caused from using qtips believe it or not you should never place them in the ear..go figure..hope this helps you out.
233379
Pull on the back of your outer ear while leaning the same way and it should run out.  The ear canal is not perfectly straight.  This will make it more straight.