{"id":1668,"date":"2022-12-12T18:46:11","date_gmt":"2022-12-13T00:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pediatricentillinois.fm1.dev\/?page_id=1668"},"modified":"2023-03-24T18:12:33","modified_gmt":"2023-03-24T23:12:33","slug":"ear-tubes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pediatricentillinois.com\/ent\/ear-tubes\/","title":{"rendered":"Ear Tubes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ear tube placement is also known as myringotomy and tube placement or ventilation tube placement. A myringotomy is a small incision or opening made in the ear drum. This opening allows us to vacuum out and remove middle ear fluid. A small plastic or silicon tube is then inserted into the small opening. The tube is held in place by the eardrum itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most ear tubes work their way out on their own in 6 to 24 months. If they do not come out on their own, they may need to be removed in the office or with a second surgery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ear tubes decrease the incidence of ear infections; but infections can still occur. Infections that occur with ear tubes in place can usually be treated with antibiotic ear drops rather than antibiotics taken by mouth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The risks with ear tubes included: leaving scarring, thinning or a hole in the ear drum; tubes that do not come out; tubes that come out earlier than expected. Infections or reactive tissue or cysts can also form from ear tubes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Painful ear infections<\/a>\u202fare a rite of passage for children-by the age of five, nearly every child has experienced at least one episode. Most ear infections either resolve on their own (viral) or are effectively treated by antibiotics (bacterial). But sometimes, ear infections and\/or fluid in the middle ear may become a chronic problem leading to other issues such as hearing loss, behavior, and speech problems. In these cases, insertion of an ear tube by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) may be considered.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

What are ear tubes?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n

Ear tubes are tiny cylinders placed through the ear drum (tympanic membrane) to allow air into the middle ear. They also may be called tympanostomy tubes, myringotomy tubes, ventilation tubes, or PE (pressure equalization) tubes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These tubes can be made out of plastic, metal, or Teflon and may have a coating intended to reduce the possibility of infection. There are two basic types of ear tubes: short-term and long-term. Short- term tubes are smaller and typically stay in place for six months to a year before falling out on their own. Long-term tubes are larger and have flanges that secure them in place for a longer period of time. Long-term tubes may fall out on their own, but removal by an otolaryngologist is often necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n

Who needs ear tubes and why?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n

Ear tubes are often recommended when a person experiences repeated middle ear infection (acute otitis media) or has hearing loss caused by the persistent presence of middle ear fluid (otitis media with effusion). These conditions most commonly occur in children, but can also be present in teens and adults and can lead to speech and\u202fbalance problems<\/a>, hearing loss, or changes in the structure of the ear drum. Other less common conditions that may warrant the placement of ear tubes are malformation of the ear drum or eustachian tube, Down Syndrome, cleft palate, and barotrauma (injury to the middle ear caused by a reduction of air pressure, usually seen with altitude changes such as flying and scuba diving).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each year, more than half a million ear tube surgeries are performed on children, making it the most common childhood surgery performed with anesthesia. The average age for ear tube insertion is one to three years old. Inserting ear tubes may: <\/p>\n\n\n\n