If your child has problems with frequent ear infections, your doctor may refer your child to an ENT doctor. The ear, nose, and throat doctor might recommend the insertion of ear tubes. Ear tube surgery is one of the most common surgeries for kids, and it's easy for them to endure. Here's when your ENT doctor might recommend ear tubes, why they work, and how they're put in your child's ears.
When Your Child Might Need Ear Tubes
Ear tubes are often recommended when a child has frequent ear infections. Kids get ear infections easily because of the way their young ears are shaped. Plus, kids have immature immune systems and pick up colds and other infections more easily that can spread to their ears. Frequent infections can make your child miserable since they can be painful. The pain might even interfere with sleep and performance at school.
Ear tubes may also be recommended for young children when ear infections interfere with hearing and learning to speak. Ear tubes can be put in toddlers, teens, and adults.
Why Ear Tubes Work
Ear tubes are inserted through the eardrums. This allows pressure to normalize and it also reduces pain. Fluid can drain out from behind the eardrums with the tubes in place. If your child has hearing loss due to the fluid buildup, they should be able to hear as soon as the ear tubes are put in.
Ear tubes are usually left in until they fall out on their own, which could take many months. If the tubes don't eventually fall out, the ENT doctor may need to take them out. Ear tubes don't guarantee your child will never have another ear infection, but if they do get one, the fluid will drain so the infection will be easier to endure.
How Ear Tubes Are Put In
Ear tube surgery is quick and easy for your child to undergo. It only takes minutes to put the tubes in, and your child will probably have general anesthesia so they'll sleep through the surgery. This is an outpatient procedure, so your child will probably go home in just a few hours once the anesthesia has worn off.
After the surgery, your child might have a slight earache or have aftereffects of the anesthesia, such as nausea. Your ENT doctor will let you know if you need to follow any procedures with swimming and other activities once the tubes are in place. Recovery from the surgery is quick, and your child may be able to go back to school the next day if your ENT doctor agrees.
