Before the Procedure:

Your child's ear doctor may ask for a medical history and physical exam of your child before the procedure is done. A hearing test is also recommended before the procedure is done.

Always tell your child's doctor or nurse:

• What drugs your child is taking. Include drugs, herbs, and vitamins you bought without a prescription
• What allergies your child may have to any medicines, latex, tape, or skin cleaner

On the day of the surgery:

• Your child will usually be asked not to drink or eat anything after midnight the night before the surgery.
• Give your child a small sip of water with any drugs your doctor told you to give your child.
• Your child's doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.
• The doctor will make sure your child is healthy enough for surgery. This means your child has no signs of illness or infection. If your child is ill, the surgery may be delayed.

Click here to see a video about preparing your child for ear tube surgery.

After the Procedure:

Children usually stay in the recovery room for a short time and leave the hospital the same day as the ear tubes are inserted. Your child may be groggy and fussy for an hour or so while waking up from anesthesia. Your child's doctor may prescribe ear drops or antibiotics for a few days after the surgery.

Most children can return to normal activities the day after the surgery.

Some ear doctors will recommend using earplugs or swimmer's headbands while swimming or bathing to keep water out of the ears. If earplugs are not recommended for these activities, they may be recommended for diving in deep water. Check with your health care provider.

The surgical cut heals on its own, without stitches. The hole closes, and the ear tubes usually fall out on their own after 14 months or so.

See also:

• A video about after your child's ear tube surgery
• A video about how ear tubes come out

Outlook (Prognosis):

After this procedure, most parents report that their children:

• Have fewer ear infections
• Recover more quickly from infections

If the tubes do not fall out on their own in a few years, an ear specialist may have to remove them. If ear infections return after the tubes fall out, another set of ear tubes can be inserted.