Ear Tubes: Should You Be Afraid of This? Let's Find Out for Sure!

Does your little one cry at night because of an earache? Or is he constantly getting ear infections and getting tired of taking medicine? Maybe your doctor has told you that he needs to have an ear tube inserted. It's normal to feel a little scared and nervous when you hear these words. But this is really nothing to be afraid of. Most of the time, this will bring great relief to your child. So, today we'll talk about ear tubes in a simple way.

What exactly are these Ear Tubes?

Simply put, these are very, very small pieces of tubing. Think of them as tiny pieces of tubing cut from a drinking straw. They are usually made of plastic or metal. In medicine, we call these ``Tympanostomy tubes.'' The doctor carefully makes a small hole in the eardrum and inserts this tube through it. It is like a small window in the ear. This window does two main things: 1. It equalizes the pressure inside the ear. 2. It creates a path for fluid (like mucus) and pus that accumulates in the middle ear to drain out.

Why do we need to put these on our babies?

You may be wondering, "Why do our little ones get so many ear infections ?" There's a good reason for that. There's a small tube that connects our ears and throat, called the ``( eustachian tube )''. This is what regulates the pressure inside the ear and drains unnecessary fluid. This tube in small children is very small, and it's not vertical like in adults, but rather horizontal. So when you get a cold, when there's a lot of mucus, this tube gets blocked very easily. Then fluid accumulates in the ear, creating a perfect place for bacteria and viruses to grow. That's when ear infections develop and earaches occur. A doctor recommends inserting Ear Tubes mainly in the following cases:

How is the surgery done? Is it something to be afraid of?

Not at all. This is a very minor and quick surgery. The entire procedure takes about 15 minutes.

Before surgery

Since this is done under general anesthesia, young children will not feel anything during the surgery, nor will they struggle. Therefore, as the doctor advises, you should fast for a few hours before the surgery without eating or drinking. Inform the doctor in advance about any other medications your child is taking and any allergies.

How to prepare a child mentally?

This is very important. When talking to your child about this, don't use scary words.

• Instead of 'cutting' or 'piercing', say something like 'The doctor is making a small hole in my ear.'
• Instead of 'putting you to sleep', say 'I'll give you a special medicine to help you sleep well, so you won't feel anything.'
• Let them take a favorite toy or blanket to the hospital.
• Reassure them that you are always there for them.

After the surgery

You can take your child home a few hours after the surgery. You may be a little sleepy during the day because of the anesthesia. This is normal.

• Pain: Most children do not feel any pain after surgery.
• Discharge: For the first few days, you may notice a little bloody or pus-like discharge coming out of your ear. This is something that was previously blocked. But if you have yellow, brown, or bloody discharge for more than a week, tell your doctor right away.
• Ear Drops: Ear drops given by the doctorUse it exactly, at the right time.
• Hearing: The child's hearing will return to normal as soon as the fluid in the ear is removed. Therefore, at first, the child may be afraid of ordinary sounds (a dog barking, a vacuum cleaner). This is because he can hear well now. He will get used to it in a few weeks.

Can I shower or swim after having the tube inserted?

This is a question that many parents ask.

• Bathing and showering: Usually no problem.
• Swimming: Swimming in a pool is generally safe. However, if your child is diving too deep, your doctor may recommend ear plugs.
• Swimming in a lake/river: Since natural reservoirs like lakes and rivers can contain a lot of bacteria , it is best to talk to your doctor about using ear plugs if you are swimming in such places.

Are these tubes always in your ears?

No. There are two types of tubes. 1. Short-term tubes: These are the most commonly used. They are left in the ear for about 6 months to 2 years. As the eardrum heals, the tube will come out on its own. It is so small that neither you nor your child will notice it. 2. Long-term tubes: These are designed to not come out easily. They can stay in place for several years. If necessary, a doctor will remove them. After the tube is removed, the small hole in the eardrum usually closes on its own. In very rare cases, your doctor can perform a small procedure to close it. Ear infections, ear tubes, tympanostomy, ear pus, eardrum, child health, ear surgery