Almost every child has experienced a painful ear infection before turning five.
Bacterial ear infections can be treated with antibiotics, while most viral ear infections resolve on their own. If ear infections or middle ear fluid becomes chronic, “tubes” can be inserted in the ear drum to prevent additional problems such as hearing loss, speech problems and academic or behavioral issues.
What exactly are Ear Tubes?
The “tubes” are tiny cylinders placed through the ear drum by an ENT specialist (otolaryngologist) to allow air into the middle ear. They are also known as tympanostomy tubes, myringotomy tubes, ventilation tubes, or PE (pressure equalization) tubes.
Ear tubes are inserted through an outpatient surgical procedure that lasts less than 15 minutes, and patients recover very quickly. This is an extremely common and safe procedure with few complications. If your child has persistent ear infections, have him/her evaluated by our ENT physicians in Hagerstown to determine if ear tube insertion would help.
