Ear tube insertion is the placement of tubes through the eardrums. It is done to help the fluid behind the eardrums to drain so that the ears can function normally, or to reduce the risk of recurrent ear infections.

Note: While this article focuses on ear tube insertion in children, most of the information also could apply to adults with similiar symptoms or problems.

Myringotomy; Tympanostomy; Ear tube surgery

While the child is under general anesthesia (asleep and not able to feel pain), a small surgical cut is made in the eardrum. Any fluid that has gathered behind the eardrum is suctioned out through this cut. Then, a small tube is inserted through the eardrum. The tube allows air to flow in and fluid to constantly flow out of the middle ear.

Ear tube insertion may be recommended when fluid builds up behind your child's eardrum and does not go away after 3 months if both ears are affected (or after 6 months if the fluid is only in one ear). Fluid buildup may cause some hearing loss while it is present. But most children do not have long-term damage to their hearing or their ability to speak even when the fluid remains for many months.

An ear infection is another reason for inserting an ear tube. If an infection does not go away with the usual medical treatment, or if a child has many ear infections over a short period of time, the doctor may recommend ear tubes.

Ear tube insertion is also used sometimes for people of any age who have:

• A complication from a severe ear infection, such as mastoiditis, brain infection, meningitis, or facial nerve paralysis
• Barotrauma (pressure injury) from flying or deep sea diving
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Images

Tympanic membrane

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Ear tube insertion Risks

Review Date: 04/18/2010
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)