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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffEar tubes (drainage tubes, tympanostomy tubes, ventilation tubes) are tiny metal or plastic cylinders surgically inserted into the eardrum to drain fluid and equalize the pressure between the middle ear and outer ear.
Ear tubes are often used to treat children's recurrent ear infections that don't respond to antibiotics. Your child's doctor may also recommend ear tubes if fluid in your child's ears is causing hearing or speech problems.
Depending on the type of tube used, ear tubes typically remain in for six to 12 months. For most children, no other treatment is needed. As your child grows, the ear tubes will likely come out on their own, and the drainage holes will heal within about one year.
- Ear tubes. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/Ear-Tubes.cfm. Accessed March 10, 2009.
- Isaacson GC. Overview of tympanostomy tube placement and medical care of children with tympanostomy tubes. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 10, 2009.
- Otitis media (ear infection). National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/otitism.htm. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Rowe LD. Conductive hearing loss. In: Current Surgical Diagnosis & Treatment. 12th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2006.
- Lous J. Which children would benefit most from tympanostomy tubes (grommets)? A personal evidence-based review. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 2008;72:731.
- Keyhani S, et al. Overuse of tympanostomy tubes in New York metropolitan area: Evidence from five hospital cohort. BMJ. 2008;337:1607.
