Ear tubes or tympanostomy tube placement, the second most common surgery for children in the U.S., are small tubes placed in a tiny hole in the ear drum to equalize pressure or drain fluid from the middle of the ear. Ear tubes replace the function of the Eustachian tube, which runs from the middle of the ear to the back of the nose above the throat.
ENT of NJ places ear tubes if a child has frequent ear infections, if there is fluid causing hearing loss or if the fluid is not responsive to medical therapy or watchful waiting.