Does Your Child Need Ear Tubes?

The Ear, Nose and Throat surgeons who operate at CHKD follow national guidelines for when children should receive ear tubes. In determining whether a child is a good candidate for ear tubes, our doctors consider the following:

• Is there persistent middle ear fluid buildup over an extended period of time?
• Is there documented hearing difficulty?
• Have there been frequent and repeated ear infections?
• Is the child having trouble sleeping or balance issues?
• Does the child have other medical problems that can make ear problems more likely such as an immune deficiency or cleft palate?

The insertion of ear tubes is the most common surgery performed on children. Tubes are inserted during outpatient surgery by making a small incision in the eardrum. The tubes allow fluid to drain from the middle ear, relieving pressure and allowing air to move behind the eardrum. 

Children get ear tubes hundreds of times a year at CHKD as well as at our Health and Surgery Centers in Virginia Beach and Oyster Point.