Have you ever been in any of these situations?
You are putting your child to bed at the end of a long day when they start to tug at their ear. You check their temperature, and they have a fever. “Not another ear infection,” you think to yourself.
Your child has had a fever and runny nose for the past two days. You have been giving them Tylenol but they continue to feel bad and have already missed a couple days of school. At the pediatrician’s office, your child is diagnosed with an ear infection.
Your child brings home a school hearing test that they failed along with a recommendation to see your doctor.
Any of these scenarios may prompt the question, “Does my child need ear tubes?”
What are ear tubes?
Ear tubes, also known as tympanostomy tubes, are small cylindrical devices surgically inserted into the eardrum to help decrease drainage and improve ventilation of the middle ear. Ear tubes are most commonly used in children but can also be used in adults.
When are ear tubes recommended?
The conditions below can interfere with daily life and overall ear health if not treated appropriately.
– Frequent ear infections
– Persistent fluid buildup in the middle ear
– Hearing loss due to infections or fluid build up
What causes these conditions?
– An ear infection is inflammation of the middle ear caused by either a virus or bacteria when there is fluid buildup behind the eardrum.
– Persistent fluid buildup in the middle ear can be caused by eustachian tubes that don’t function as well as adults
– Frequent ear infections or long-lasting fluid in the middle ear can cause long-term problems including hearing loss and difficulties with speech and language development.
-Ear tubes indications
-frequent infections in which fluid does not clear in between infections and remains present for more than 3 months
-conductive hearing loss that has not improved for more than 3 months
-chronic otitis media complicated by speech delay
What happens in ear tube surgery?
– Ear tube surgery is a quick, outpatient procedure, which means your little one will go home the same day.
– Your little one will be given sedation and then a small incision will be made in the ear drum, the fluid will be suctioned out of the middle ear and the ear tube will be inserted into the incision
What to expect after surgery?
– Your little one might have some mild discomfort and sleepiness following the procedure, this typically resolves by the next day
– You will be prescribed antibiotic ear drops to use at home for several days to prevent infection and blockage of tubes
– The ear tubes typically fall out on their own after 9-12 months and the eardrum will heal naturally
Caring for ear tubes
– Avoid water entering the ears in contaminated conditions like ocean and lake water. You can use ear protection to help with this
– Monitor for signs of infection, such as unusual drainage or persistent pain
