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Patient Information
Ear Tubes — A Caregiver's Guide
What are possible reasons why my doctor or health care provider
may diagnose an ear infection when we haven't seen drainage yet?
1. The tube is open and drainage has started but is not yet seen at the ear canal
opening. This suggests an early stage of infection for which antibiotic ear
drops will help it go away quickly.
2. The tube is not working or is blocked, so the ear infection is treated as if the
tube was not there. This is a time when antibiotics by mouth may be needed.
The blocked tube does not do any harm (and will not cause a problem), but it
also will not drain the infection. Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain.
3. The tube is open but there is no drainage in the tube opening or ear canal. In
this case no special treatment is necessary, even if the eardrum appears red or
irritated, which can occur when your child cries or has fever without an ear
infection.
When to call the Ear Doctor (Otolaryngologist):
1. Your child's regular doctor or health care provider can't see the tube in the ear,
or the tube is blocked.
2. Your child has a hearing loss, continued ear infections or continued ear pain/
discomfort.
3. Ear drainage continues for more than 7–10 days without improvement with
treatment.
4. Drainage from the ear occurs frequently or more than you think should
happen.
5. There is wax build-up in the ear canal that doesn't allow the tube to be seen.
