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HAVE YOU HEARD? Treating ear infections in children by Dr. Shirley Pollak, AU.D., Audiologist

By April 14, 2011Blog

Painful ear infections are a rite of passage for children by the age of five, nearly every child has experienced at least one episode. Most ear infections either resolve on their own or are effectively treated with antibiotics. But sometimes, ear infections and/or fluid in the middle ear may become a chronic problem leading to other issues such as hearing loss, behavior, and speech problems. In these cases, insertion of an ear tube by an ear, nose, and throat physician may be considered.

What Are Ear tubes
Ear tubes are tiny cylinders placed through the ear drum (tympanic membrane) to allow air into the middle ear. They also may be called tympanostomy tubes, myringotomy tubes, ventilation tubes, or PE (pressure equalization) tubes.

Who Needs Ear Tubes
Ear tubes are often recommended when a person experiences repeated middle ear infection (acute otitis media) or has hearing loss caused by the persistent presence of middle ear fluid (otitis media with effusion). These conditions most commonly occur in children, but can also be present in teens and adults and can lead to speech and balance problems, hearing loss, or changes in the structure of the ear drum. Other less common conditions that may warrant the placement of ear tubes are malformation of the ear drum or Eustachian tube, Down Syndrome, cleft palate, and barotrauma (injury to the middle ear caused by a reduction of air pressure), usually seen with altitude changes such as flying and scuba diving.

Each year, more than half a million ear tube surgeries are performed on children, making it the most common childhood surgery performed with anesthesia. The average age of ear tube insertion is one to three years old. Inserting ear tubes may:
reduce the risk of future ear infection,
restore hearing loss caused by middle ear fluid,
improve speech problems and balance problems, and
improve behavior and sleep problems caused by chronic ear infections.

How Are Ear Tubes Inserted
Ear tubes are inserted through an outpatient surgical procedure called a myringotomy. A myringotomy refers to an incision (a hole) in the ear drum or tympanic membrane. This is most often done under a surgical microscope with a small scalpel (tiny knife), but it can also be accomplished with a laser. If an ear tube is not inserted, the hole would heal and close within a few days. To prevent this, an ear tube is placed in the hole to keep it open and allow air to reach the middle ear space (for ventilation).

Ear Tube Surgery
A light general anesthetic is administered for young children. Some older children and adults may be able to tolerate the procedure without anesthetic. A myringotomy is performed and the fluid behind the ear drum (in the middle ear space) is suctioned out. The ear tube is then placed in the hole. Ear drops may be administered after the ear tube is placed and may be necessary for a few days. The procedure usually lasts less than 15 minutes and patients awaken quickly.

Possible Complications
Myringotomy with insertion of ear tubes is an extremely common and safe procedure with minimal complications. When complications do occur, they may include:

Perforation This can happen when a tube comes out or a long-term tube is removed and the hole in the tympanic membrane (ear drum) does not close. The hole can be patched through a minor surgical procedure called a tympanoplasty or myringoplasty.

Scarring Any irritation of the ear drum, including repeated insertion of ear tubes, can cause scarring. In most cases, this causes no problems with hearing.

Infection Ear infections can still occur in the middle ear or around the ear tube. However, these infections are usually less frequent, result in less hearing loss, and are easier to treat often only with ear drops. Sometimes an oral antibiotic is still needed.

Ear Tubes Come Out Too Early Or Stay In Too Long If an ear tube expels from the ear drum too soon (which is unpredictable), fluid may return and repeat surgery may be needed. Ear tubes that remain too long may result in perforation or may require removal by the otolaryngologist.

One of the key components in a physician s decision to place ear tubes is the presence and degree of hearing loss. Hearing loss can be detected accurately in young children by a Pediatric Audiologist.

Dr. Shirley Pollak has been serving the Brooklyn community in clinical practice for 18 years and leads a team of highly competent and professional audiologists providing quality care and service and the highest level of hearing instrument technology. Their knowledge and expertise combined with the latest hearing health care breakthroughs, computerization, ultramodern techniques, and state-of-the-art systems allows them to offer accurate and successful hearing technology fittings exactly tailored to the individual needs of each patient. She also does newborn hearing screening and can be reached at: Pollak Audiological 718-474-4744 and Rockaway Audiology and Hearing Aid Center: 718-421-2782.
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Craig Selinger

Author Craig Selinger

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