Ear Tubes

Tympanostomy tubes that ventilate the middle ear

Overview

Ear tubes, also called tympanostomy tubes, ventilation tubes, or grommets, are tiny cylinders placed through a small incision in the eardrum, a procedure called myringotomy. They let air into the middle ear and allow fluid to drain, which relieves the conductive hearing loss caused by persistent glue ear and reduces the frequency of recurrent ear infections. The procedure is among the most common childhood operations in many countries. Most tubes fall out on their own as the eardrum heals, usually within months to a couple of years, and longer lasting designs exist for persistent problems.