Frequently Asked Questions About Ear Tubes

How long do ear tubes usually stay in place?

• Ear tubes are temporary. Most ear tubes fall out between 6 and 12 months. 

• There is no way to predict how long your child’s tubes will last. 

• Some tubes fall out early, others in the first couple of months. Some ear tubes stay in place beyond 3 years. Tubes in place longer than 3 years may need to be removed by the surgeon.

Will I know when the tubes fall out? 

• Most of the time you will not know or see the tube when it falls out of your child’s ear. The tube is very small and often is still in the ear canal after it falls out of the eardrum. 

• The ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon, advanced practice provider or your primary healthcare provider can look in the ear and tell you if the tube is still in place in the eardrum.

Will my child need another set of ear tubes once the tubes fall out? 

Maybe. Some children will need more than one set of ear tubes because they have not outgrown their ear problem. This may be because of the child’s age or other medical conditions.

Is follow up with ENT needed after ear tube surgery?

• All children need a follow up appointment after ear tubes, no matter how well they are doing. 

• Routine follow up is 6 to 8 weeks after surgery, and then every 6 months until both tubes fall out. 

• Follow up with ENT is important to check the health of the eardrum and middle ear. The ENT provider will check for any potential problems. 

Can my child still get ear infections even after the tubes are placed? 

Some children with ear tubes will get some ear infections. There is no cure for ear infections. Bacteria and viruses can still cause ear infections. However, ear tubes can help. Ear tubes: 

• Reduce the number of ear infections. 

• Lessen the symptoms of infection. 

• Make the infection easier to treat. 

• May improve hearing.

How will I know if my child has an ear infection? 

• If the tubes are in place and working, you will see some drainage in the ear canal of one or both ears. It can look clear, cloudy, mucousy or bloody.

• Drainage from the ear is often the only symptom of an ear infection. Your child may have no pain or fever with an ear infection. 

• If your child’s ear is draining, contact ENT or your primary healthcare provider. 

• ENT will order antibiotic eardrops to treat the infection. 

• Complete the full 10 days of the antibiotic eardrops, even if the drainage stops. 

• Call ENT if:

• The ear drainage does not decrease or stop after using the antibiotic eardrops for 10 days.

• The drops are not going down into the ear. 

• When ear tubes are in place, do not use any other eardrops in the ear. Only use ear drops prescribed by ENT or your primary healthcare provider. 

Can my child get their ears wet with ear tubes in place?

• Yes, your child may bathe, shower and swim. 

• We do not recommend routine use of the antibiotic eardrops after water exposure. 

• If your child has ear pain or discomfort with swimming, try using earplugs. 

• If your child has an ear infection with drainage and is being treated, keep the ears dry until treatment is completed. 

Can my child fly after surgery?

• Yes, airplane travel is okay with ear tubes. 

• Ear tubes will prevent the painful pressure changes that cause ear discomfort.

Contact your CHOP ENT team with questions or concerns.

Division of Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat)

215-590-3440

7 days per week/24 hours

Reviewed February 2024 by Christie Alminde R.N. CPN