Ear Tubes Related Articles & Blog Posts

If fluid from the middle ear space is draining out of the ear in a child with an acute ear infection (acute otitis media), there must be an opening in the eardrum – the air-tight membrane that separates the middle ear from the ear canal and helps us to hear. If fluid can get out [...]

As many as 700,000 children each year in the United States have ear tubes placed surgically to treat chronic and recurrent fluid behind the ear drum (otitis media with effusion, or OME). A study in the December 2005 Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine argues that young kids who get tubes are more likely to [...]

We know that fluid behind the eardrum decreases hearing in children as long as it is present. We also know that the first 3 years of life are a very important time in a child’s development. The question is – does inserting ear tubes to eliminate this fluid help with development?

My son has had his PE tubes for three years. I recently read that leaving the tubes in for more than two years may result in scarring or damage to the eardrum. Can you give me any additional information?

The American Academy of Pediatrics established in 2002 five guidelines for the care of children who have tympanostomy tubes. The first guideline calls for a follow-up visit within the first month after surgery to ensure that the tubes are open and functioning, to answer questions, and to agree on a plan for any new ear [...]

My 2 1/2 year old son has had two sets of tubes. He went back for a checkup and I thought his doctor told me that the tubes had come out. We haven’t been using earplugs or anything since…

Ear tube surgery is the most common operation performed on children. The most common reason for the surgery is to treat prolonged fluid in the ear (otitis media with effusion, or OME). An article in the August 2001 issue of Laryngoscope evaluated an interesting alternative.

Dear Dr. Greene, I am a little concerned over the first paragraph in the section regarding when ventilation tubes are necessary in children. You state that the purpose of ventilation tubes is to allow bacteria and fluid to drain…

Is there any reason an 18-month-old cannot fly after ear tube placement? Her mother in Boston is trying to use this excuse to keep my daughter from coming out to California in April as ordered by the courts. Please…

My 9 year old son was referred by our pediatrician to a ear-nose-throat specialist to have ear-vent tubes inserted. After our consultation visit with the specialist, he recommended not having the tubes placed since my son is only having…