Fast Track Ear Surgery Program helps toddler find relief

At 3 months old, Nolan Grafmeyer started experiencing recurrent ear infections.

When Abby Grafmeyer’s son, Nolan, started daycare at just 3 months old, she expected him to pick up the occasional cold. What she didn’t expect was how frequently he’d develop ear infections.

Within four months, Nolan experienced three ear infections, including one affecting both ears.

“We couldn’t tell he was sick,” Abby recalled. Other than being a little fussier than usual, having some drainage or sounding stuffy, Nolan showed few signs that anything was wrong.

“His pediatrician prescribed a 10-day course of oral antibiotics, which Nolan hated taking,” Abby said. “When another infection developed, they tried a different antibiotic. By his third infection, Nolan needed an antibiotic injection to clear it up.”

The repeated infections took a toll on the entire family. Nolan missed approximately five days of daycare each month. This left Abby and her husband scrambling to take time off work or arrange alternative childcare.

During Nolan’s initial evaluation for ear tubes, a hearing test and physical exam revealed fluid buildup behind both eardrums, which weren’t functioning as well as they should.

Finding answers at Akron Children’s

Abby, who had ear tubes herself as a child, decided it was time to have Nolan evaluated by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.

Abby was already familiar with Akron Children’s from delivering Nolan at Summa Health. She was able to schedule an appointment through MyChart with Dr. Anton Milo, a pediatric ENT specialist, within a week.

During Nolan’s initial evaluation, a hearing test and physical exam revealed fluid buildup behind both eardrums, which weren’t functioning as well as they should.

“Although Nolan’s hearing was within the normal range, it was slightly below expected levels,” said Abby.

Dr. Milo noticed dark circles under Nolan’s eyes, sometimes called allergy shiners, which suggested possible allergies. He recommended a low dose of antihistamine.

Given Nolan’s repeated infections and persistent fluid buildup, Dr. Milo also determined he was a good candidate for ear tubes. Ear tubes are tiny, hollow cylinders placed in the eardrum to help ventilate the middle ear and allow fluid to drain.

Fortunately, the family wouldn’t have to wait long.

Noah’s surgery only lasted about 8 minutes, and he was playing outside later that same day.

A faster path to relief

“For parents of children with recurring ear infections, getting an ENT appointment can feel like just the beginning,” said Dr. Milo. “If surgery is recommended, there’s often another worry: How long will their child have to wait for relief?”

That’s why Dr. Milo created Akron Children’s Fast Track Surgery Program to help eliminate unnecessary delays and get eligible children the care they need sooner.

The program streamlines the process from consultation to surgery, with the goal of scheduling eligible children for surgery within seven days or less.

Here’s how Fast Track works:

1. A child’s pediatrician makes a referral for an ENT consultation.
2. The child is evaluated by an ENT specialist to determine whether ear tubes are appropriate.
3. If surgery is recommended, the family can complete the presurgical screening and schedule the procedure that same day.

For the Grafmeyers, the process couldn’t have been easier. The family lives in Lakewood, making Akron Children’s Beachwood Outpatient Surgery Center a convenient location.

Nolan, now 16 months old, still attends daycare. Since his surgery, he hasn’t had a single ear infection.

A quick procedure and an easy recovery

On the morning of surgery, the family arrived at the Beachwood Outpatient Surgery Center at 6:30 a.m.

Although having a young child undergo surgery can be nerve-racking, Abby appreciated how smoothly everything went from the moment they arrived.

“Staff members introduced themselves, explained their roles and walked us through what would happen before, during and after Nolan’s procedure,” said Abby. “The surgery itself took approximately 6 to 8 minutes, followed by about 30 minutes in recovery.”

Once home, Nolan had very few restrictions. His family was advised to avoid submerging his head in water and told that earplugs could be used as an extra precaution when swimming, although they weren’t required.

In fact, Nolan was feeling well enough to visit the playground that very afternoon.

Nolan and his parents.

Fewer infections, better hearing and more time to be a kid

Now 16 months old, Nolan is doing great.

He still attends daycare, and he hasn’t had another ear infection since his surgery. His parents have noticed he’s less fussy and seems to hear better, too.

At a recent follow-up appointment, Nolan underwent another hearing test to check his progress.

For Abby and her husband, the difference has been significant. Instead of juggling missed daycare days, doctor appointments and repeated rounds of antibiotics, they can spend more time enjoying everyday life with their son.

Nolan’s ear tubes are expected to fall out naturally as he grows, so there’s typically no need for another procedure to remove them.

Looking back, Abby is grateful for how quickly Akron Children’s was able to help her family.

“I think the whole Fast Track surgery program is great,” she said. “It was super smooth, and we got in really fast. It’s been the best thing for him.”

Could your child benefit from ear tubes?

If your child experiences frequent ear infections or has persistent fluid behind the eardrum, talk with your pediatrician about whether an ENT evaluation may be appropriate.

Akron Children’s Fast Track Surgery Program helps eligible children move from evaluation to treatment quickly, so families can spend less time dealing with recurring ear infections and more time enjoying childhood.