Ear
Hearing loss affects one in ten North Americans. The unique domain of Otolaryngologists is the treatment of ear disorders. They are trained in both the medical and surgical treatment of hearing, ear infections, balance disorders, ear noise (tinnitus), nerve pain, and facial and cranial nerve disorders. Otolaryngologists also manage congenital (birth) disorders of the outer and inner ear. Otolaryngology is the oldest medical specialty in the United States. Otolaryngologists are commonly referred to as ENT physicians. They can also be known as Head and Neck Surgeons, ENT Allergists, Facial Plastic Surgeons, or Sinus Specialists.
Latest Resources
What type of tubes are there?
We place tubes because in the vast majority of the time, the hole we make in the eardrum will heal closed within a few weeks. The tube is to prevent the hole from closing. There is also no such thing as a “permanent” tube. In essence, the bigger the tube or bigger the inner flanges, the longer they are supposed to stay in. 3-6 months: Fleurstein Split, Read More >
What happens after tubes are inserted?
Immediately after the procedure, the surgeon will examine the patient for persistent or profuse bleeding or discharge. The child will be given antibiotic eardrops to use for a couple of days to prevent clogging. After one month, we will review the tube placement will be reviewed and possibly test the patient’s hearing. Later, we will see whether the tube was effective in removing infection.
With the average set of tubes, you can expect them to just grow out and the eardrum to heal itself in six to twelve months. If the patient is age six or younger, it is recommended that tubes remain in place for up to two years. During this time, be aware of getting water in the ears. We recommend giving the eardrops after prolonged bathing or swimming. Ear plugs, although not a bad idea, have never proven effective in controlled studies. Use them only if they are not a bother.
We generally see patients every three to four months after tubes are inserted to ensure proper healing and development. 80% of patients who need tubes only need one set.
If the infections persist, this may be a result of chronically infected adenoids and tonsils, in which case we may recommend removal of adenoids and/or tonsils. This is usually done when the second set of ventilation tubes are inserted. Allergies may also require additional investigation and treatment.
How are tubes inserted?
The procedure for inserting ventilation tubes takes just minutes. Children are typically sedated with gas anesthesia administered by a mask. No I.V., intubation, or pre-operative labs are required. The child simply breathes the anesthetic while the tubes are inserted and the ear is carefully examined.
Why are tubes inserted?
We typically insert tubes for one of three reasons:
- Recurrent infections (most common reason)
- Prolonged hearing loss Read More >
Ventilation tubes
Ventilation tubes, or tympanostomy tubes, are tubes inserted into the eardrum to keep the middle ear aerated and to prevent mucus accumulation. At Midwest ENT, we have performed thousands of these procedures successfully. Read More >
