Chronic Middle Ear Effusion and Tubes

Jay Dolitsky MD FAAP, Clinical Professor of Otolaryngology NY Medical College and
Director of Pediatric Otolaryngolgy at NY Eye and Ear Infirmary describes chronic middle ear effusion and ear tubes. Chronic middle ear effusion occurs when mucus is trapped behind the ear drum in the middle ear that has been there more than three months. It can cause a temporary hearing loss and could affect speech development. He would test the child’s speech development and whether temp hearing loss has effect on school work. He may try to treat it with an antibiotic and nasal spray; if that doesn’t work he will place a tube in the ear. He talks about the procedure, how it works, and the duration of the tube in the ear. He warns about certain medications not to use if a child has a tube inserted. Peroxide, mineral oil, alcohol can cause irritation, infection and burning. Only sterile drops should be used on a child with an ear tube. For more information, visit www.DrMDK.com