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Tubes for Ear Infections
Ear tubes are plastic and shaped like a hollow spool. Doctors suggest tubes for children who have repeat ear infections or when fluid stays behind the eardrum. A specialist (otolaryngologist) places the tubes through a small surgical opening made in the eardrum (myringotomy or tympanostomy). The child is unconscious under general anesthesia for this surgery.
View
a slideshow on ear tube insertion 
to see the steps that
are performed.
Tubes can help with ear infections because they:
- Allow air to enter the
middle ear
. - Allow fluid to flow out of the middle ear through the tube into the ear canal.
- Clear fluid from the middle ear and restore hearing.
- Prevent future buildup of fluid in the middle ear while they are in place.
- Decrease the feeling of pressure in the ears, which reduces pain.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: January 13, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics Charles M. Myer, III, MD - Otolaryngology | |
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