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By Mayo Clinic staffEar tubes help restore ventilation and drainage of the ear. Ear tube placement often results in:
- Reduced risk of ear infections
- Restored or improved hearing
- Improved speech
- Improved behavior and sleep problems related to frequent or persistent ear infections
Even with ear tubes, your child may still get an occasional ear infection.
Usually, ear tubes stay in the eardrum for six to 12 months and then fall out on their own. Sometimes, a tube doesn't fall out and needs to be surgically removed. In some cases, the ear tube falls out too soon, and another needs to be put in.
- Ear tubes. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/Ear-Tubes.cfm. Accessed Jan. 31, 2011.
- Klein JO. Acute otitis media in children: Prevention of recurrence. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 31, 2011.
- Klein JO. Otitis media with effusion (serous otitis media) in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 31, 2011.
- American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Academy of Pediatrics Subcommittee on Otitis Media with Effusion. Otitis media with effusion. Pediatrics 2004;113:1412.
- Ear infections in children. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/earinfections. Accessed Jan. 31, 2011.
- Isaacson GC. Overview of tympanostomy tube placement and medical care of children with tympanostomy tubes. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 31, 2011.
- Q&A for parents: Your child's surgery. American Society of Anesthesiologists. http://www.lifelinetomodernmedicine.com/Anesthesia-Topics/QA-for-Parents-Your-Childs-Surgery.aspx. Accessed Feb. 4, 2011.
- Procedures with anesthesia. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/treatments/pages/Procedures-With-Anesthesia.aspx. Accessed Feb. 4, 2011.
- Casselbrant M, et al. Acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion. In: Flint P, et al., eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/search/summary/234589448-4?search_id=1111644525&kw=tympanostomy%20tubes&search_type=Summary&etype=All&bbSortBy=hits. Accessed Jan. 31, 2011.
- Isaacson GC. Prevention and management of tympanostomy tube otorrhea in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 31, 2011.
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