Ear Tube Placement in Orange County, CA

Ear tubes are small devices commonly used to treat chronic ear infections in young children, but may also be used to address the same issues in full grown adults. These tubes are typically comprised of metal or plastic materials, and are placed by our ENT specialists during a routine surgical procedure.

Typically, ear tubes will remain in place for 6-18 months. These tubes may need to be removed during another procedure, or replacement ear tubes may need to be continually placed for ongoing treatment of various ear complications and conditions.

Ear tube surgery also called tympanostomy, myringotomy, or pressure equalization (PE) tube placement is the most common outpatient surgical procedure performed on children in the United States, with over 667,000 procedures performed annually. By age 3, nearly 1 in 15 children will have had ear tubes placed.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of an ear condition in Orange County, CA, the ear doctors with Southern California Ear, Nose & Throat may be able to help. Our ENT specialists are all board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and have extensive experience safely and effectively treating chronic ear infections with ear tubes. To schedule an appointment with an ear specialist in Long Beach, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, or Los Alamitos, call the southern California ENT clinic nearest you, or request an appointment through our secure online form.

Why Do Children Get So Many Ear Infections?

To understand ear tubes, it helps to understand why young children are so prone to ear infections in the first place.

The middle ear the space behind the eardrum is connected to the back of the throat by the Eustachian tube. In adults, this tube is angled and long enough to drain fluid naturally. In young children, the Eustachian tube is shorter, more horizontal, and more easily blocked by swelling, mucus, or enlarged adenoids. When the tube can’t drain properly, fluid accumulates in the middle ear creating the perfect environment for bacteria and viruses to grow.

This is why children ages 1 to 3 are at the highest risk for recurrent ear infections. Around age 5, the Eustachian tube naturally becomes wider and longer, which is why many children “outgrow” their ear infection problems over time.

When Are Ear Tubes Used?

As mentioned, ear tubes can be an excellent solution for those that suffer from frequent ear infections. These tubes are also quite effective at relieving other conditions and complications of the ear, including:

• Fluid buildup and drainage
• Painful air pressure imbalances (barotrauma)
• A reaction to seasonal allergies
• Hearing difficulties
• Speech delays
• Cleft palate
• Malformation of the eardrum or Eustachian tube

Hearing and speech may easily be affected as a result of an issue within the ear. If the individual is unable to process speech from others due to fluid or pressure in the ear, it can result in development delays in kids, or symptoms that may mimic hearing loss. For this reason, it is important to contact Southern California Ear, Nose & Throat in Southern California right away if you notice any strange occurrences that relate to your or your child’s hearing abilities.

The Ear Tube Procedure: What to Expect

Before Surgery

Your ENT will review your child’s complete medical history and current medications. A hearing evaluation is recommended before surgery in most cases to establish a baseline and confirm the degree of hearing impact. If your child has had multiple tube surgeries, your surgeon may also discuss whether adenoid removal (adenoidectomy) should be performed at the same time, as this can help reduce the need for future ear tube placements.

During Surgery

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia so your child remains comfortable and completely still throughout. The surgery itself is remarkably brief typically 10 to 15 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning your child goes home the same day.

During the procedure:

• Your surgeon makes a small incision in the eardrum (myringotomy)
• Any fluid trapped behind the eardrum is gently suctioned out
• The ear tube is carefully placed in the opening
• Your child will not see or feel the tubes they are too small to be visible, and most children experience little to no discomfort once the anesthesia wears off.

After Surgery

Most children wake up from anesthesia relatively quickly and are able to go home within 1 to 2 hours after surgery. Mild fussiness, grogginess, or ear discomfort on the first day is normal. Most children return to school and normal activities within 24 hours.

Your surgeon will likely prescribe antibiotic ear drops to use for the first few days after surgery to prevent infection and help keep the tubes clear. It’s important to place the drops correctly and pump the tragus (the small bump in front of the ear canal) 4–5 times after insertion to ensure the drops reach the middle ear.

Potential Risks and Complications

As with any type of surgical procedure, there are a limited number of risks associated with implementing ear tubes. While the chance of encountering any one of these side effects is considerably low, patients should still be made aware that the placement of their ear tubes may cause:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Scarring of the eardrum
• Blockages forming within the ear tubes
• Bodily rejection of the ear tubes
• Failure to resolve ear infections
• Hearing impairment
• Side effects from anesthesia

Many parents and patients worry about the possibility that the ear tubes will fall out after surgery. In a large number of cases, this is actually a desired result, as the ear tubes are only meant to remain in place temporarily. Tubes that are specially designed to stay in the ear for longer stretches of time usually require a follow-up procedure to have them manually removed by our office, or to be replaced with new tubes if necessary. Ideally, the opening created by the tubes will gradually close on its own.

Questions to Ask Our Office Before Surgery

Before undergoing surgery to place ear tubes, be sure to consult with your ENT specialist at Southern California Ear, Nose, & Throat to be fully informed about the procedure, how to prepare, and what to expect after surgery. It is important that the physician receives a comprehensive list of all current medications taken by the patient, and that their personal as well as family health history be thoroughly reviewed to identify any medical conditions that may affect the success of the ear tubes.

Follow-up appointments will be scheduled so that our office has the chance to review how well the patient’s ear tubes are working to relieve painful symptoms and chronic complications, though patients are encouraged to contact Southern California Ear, Nose, & Throat if they begin to experience any abnormal side effects that they feel are cause for concern. Specifically, individuals should call to schedule an appointment immediately if they notice a yellow, brown, or bloody discharge from the ear shortly after ear tube placement surgery. Persistent pain, hearing problems, and trouble with balance are other common signs that a problem may be present.