Ear Tubes
Ear tubes are tiny cylinders placed through the eardrum to allow air into the middle ear. They are most common in children but work in people of all ages. Some other names for the tubes are myringotomy tubes, pressure equalization tubes tympanostomy tubes, and ventilation tubes.
Why Use Ear Tubes?
They are mostly used to give long term ventilation and allow drainage to the middle ears that are affected by frequent infections, persistent fluid buildup, or chronic middle ear infections.
Normal Ear Ventilation
Ventilating your middle ear is usually accomplished with the use of Eustachian tubes. These are narrow tubes that expand from each middle ear to high in the back of your throat. The end that connects to your throat opens and closes to regulate air pressure in your middle ear, drain secretions, and refresh air in the ears.
Ventilation Using Ear Tubes
Small ear tubes are used to equalize pressure in the middle ear and allow fluid to drain. They are most commonly recommended for children with one of the following conditions:
Hearing loss:
Often caused by fluid trapped in the middle ear after an infection. This can lead to difficulties with communication, speech development delays, and challenges in school performance.
Chronic middle ear infections:
Long-term infections that do not respond to standard antibiotic treatment.
Fluid trapped behind the eardrum:
Build-up and inflammation in the middle ear can result from viral or bacterial infections. Fluid may persist even after an infection clears or occur due to non-infectious blockages in the Eustachian tubes.
Middle ear infections:
Ear tubes can help prevent repeated infections by promoting proper drainage.
