15
What are the
potential risks and
side effects?
Persistent fluid can
reduce hearing,
bother your
child, and can
rarely damage the
eardrum and cause
it to collapse. If
the fluid does not
eventually go away
on its own then
watchful waiting
could delay more
effective treatments.
About 1 in 4
children get an ear
infection (drainage)
that is treated with
eardrops. About 2
or 3 in 100 children
have a tiny hole
in the eardrum
that does not close
aer the tube falls
out and may need
surgery. ere is a
very small risk of
serious problems
from the anesthesia.
ere is a small
chance of bleeding
(that could require
a visit to the office
or hospital),
infection (that
is treated with
antibiotics), or
delayed recovery.
ere is a very small
risk of abnormal
voice (too much air
through the nose)
or serious problems
from the anesthesia.
What usually
happens in the
long term?
e fluid and
hearing loss
eventually go
away or another
treatment is tried.
Most tubes fall
out in about 12-18
months.
About 1 in every
4 children may
need to have them
replaced.
e chance that
your child may
need future ear
tubes is reduced
by about 50% aer
adenoidectomy.
Are there
any special
precautions?
Baths and
swimming are
fine. Air travel can
result in ear pain
or damage to the
eardrum depending
on how much fluid
is present.
Baths, swimming,
and air travel are
fine.
Some children need
earplugs if water
bothers their ears in
the bathtub (with
head dunking ),
when diving (>6
feet underwater), or
when swimming in
lakes or dirty water.
Baths and
swimming are
fine. Air travel can
result in ear pain
or damage to the
eardrum depending
on how much fluid
is present.
Adapted from Calkins and colleagues (http://www.optiongrid.org/resources/fluidinear_grid.pdf )
Table 7. Shared Decision Grid for Parents and Caregivers
Regarding Surgical Options for OME (cont'd)
Frequently asked
questions
Watchful waiting
(surveillance)
Ear
(tympanostomy)
tube placement Adenoidectomy
