Adult Ear Tubes

When medical therapy is ineffective for the treatment of chronic ear fluid, recurrent ear infections, and hearing loss, myringotomy or ear tubes (PE tubes) may be recommended. These treatments may also be recommended for problems with pressure or fullness of the ears, This fullness usually occurs from allergies or exposure to altitude changes. Less common causes of ear fullness include temporomandibular disorder (TMD), migraine, and endolymphatic hydrops. These causes of fullness would not be appropriate reasons for myringotomy or ear tubes. When a surgical intervention is indicated, the physician may recommend only a myringotomy. This means that an opening is made in the eardrum, but a tube is NOT placed into the eardrum. The eardrum usually heals up on its own after a few days. The procedure is usually done in the office, by using a local anesthetic to numb the eardrum.