Pros and Cons About Ear Tubes for Children

Pros

• Ear tubes will drastically decrease the amount of ear infections children get. They can, in some cases, completely eliminate them.
• After getting ear tubes, future ear infections can be treated with drops instead of antibiotics. This lowers the chance for your child to develop an immunity to antibiotics.
• Ear Tubes can improve hearing for children.
• Tubes drain the fluid that sits in the ears, resulting in less pressure.
• Children do not feel the ear tubes once they are inserted.

Cons

• It’s hard to see your child go through surgery.
• Some doctors jump the gun with ear tubes. They should only be used if a child has at least four ear infections within a six month period.
• If your insurance doesn’t cover the ear tube procedure, it can be a pricey ear infection solution.
• A majority of children need to have the tubes replaced at least once.
• Tubes can cause pus from the ear and a thickening of the eardrum over time.