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Patient Information
What should I do if my child has frequent ear
infections but no persistent fluid (effusion) behind the
eardrum in the middle ear?
4. Are there any children who should still get ear tubes for recurrent
infections even without an effusion on the day of their examination
by the otolaryngologist?
Yes, there are some exceptions. If any of the following apply to your child, you
should discuss with your doctor whether ear tubes may still be of benefit:
• Weak immune system or other problems putting them at higher risk for
infections
• Prior complications of ear infections including seizures (from high fever) or
infections spreading to the neck, bone behind the ear, or the brain
• Adverse antibiotic reactions, allergies, or inability to take oral antibiotics that
make it difficult to treat ear infections when antibiotics are needed
• High risk of developmental problems including permanent hearing loss, delays
in speech or language, delays in learning, autism-spectrum disorder, syndromes
(e.g., Down) or structural problems with the face and head (e.g., cleft palate), or
severe vision loss
5. What if my family doctor specifically sent me to the otolaryngologist
for the purpose of getting ear tubes, but there is no middle ear fluid
and the doctor wishes to wait before surgery?
Although your child may have had a tough time with frequent ear infections in
the past, the real question is whether inserting ear will help them by reducing
future ear infections. The best research evidence we have suggests that inserting
tubes will not reduce future ear infections when there is no persistent effusion, but
the procedure does involve some minor risks related to the ear tube and general
anesthesia. Waiting a bit more to see how your child does on their own does not
carry any risk or harm, since many children will not have any further ear infections
at all and most will never need tubes. As noted previously, if your child continues
to have ear infections they can be reevaluated and tubes can be arranged at that
time if middle ear fluid is present.
