Will Ear Tubes Treat My Chronic Ear Infections?
Do you or your child suffer from chronic ear infection? If so, ear tubes may be the remedy for you.
Ear tubes are tiny cylinders placed through the ear drum, or the tympanic membrane, to allow air into the middle ear. They also may be called Tympanostomy tubes, Myringotomy tubes, Ventilation tubes, or PE (Pressure Equalization) tubes. The use of ear tubes are usually administered to patients who have chronic middle ear infections or hearing loss caused by the persistent presence of middle ear fluid. The tube is usually used as a more aggressive recourse and has proven to be extremely effective as a treatment.
Common causes of ear infection include:
- Swimming
- Hearing aids that obstruct the ear canal all day which can lead to sweating and prevention of earwax to extrude
- Ear plugs for those that work around noise
- Manipulating the ear with Q-tips (or similar tools) that can cause a scratch in ear canal skin allowing bacteria and fungus to get deeper into the skin and cause infection
- Allergy or eczema of the ear canal
Benefits of Ear Tubes
There are two basic types of ear tubes:
- Short Term – Short-term tubes are smaller and typically stay in place for six months to a year before falling out on their own.
- Long Term – Long-term tubes are larger and have flanges that secure them in place for a longer period of time. Long-term tubes may fall out on their own, but removal by an otolaryngologist may be necessary.
Each year, more than half a million ear tube surgeries are performed on children, making it the most common childhood surgery performed with anesthesia. Ear infections can also be present in teens and adults and can lead to speech and balance problems, hearing loss, or changes in the structure of the ear drum.
Once the ear tubes have been placed, many patients report a significant reduction of fluid in the ear, allowing the ear canal to naturally rid itself of all pending infections.
What To Expect With the Otowick Placement Treatment
Ear tubes are inserted through an outpatient surgical procedure called a Myringotomy, referring to an incision in the ear drum or Tympanic membrane. This is most often done under a surgical microscope with a small scalpel, but it can also be accomplished with a laser.
Dr. Nguyen is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology with 10+ years of experience in his field. If you feel that ear tubes may improve your current condition, he can certainly help you.
Where Can Houston Residents Get Relief?
If you are suffering from an ear infection, and you live in the Houston area, make an appointment with Dr. Nguyen today to determine if the otowick placement treatment is right for you, and get the relief you need. So book an assessment, or contact us, and treat your ear infection today!
How Are Ear Tubes Placed in the Ear?
The placement of an ear tube is a simple surgical procedure. The ENT surgeon creates a hole in the eardrum using a scalpel or laser. Then, the synthetic ear tube is inserted. The procedure takes a short time, and it can be over within 15 minutes.
Dr. Nguyen uses the latest laser equipment and local anesthetics to fix ear tubes for adults in Houston. Due to the simplicity of the procedure and state-of-the-art equipment he uses, it’s possible for him to conduct the surgery in-office for those who may not be able to come to the hospital.
Why Should Ear Tubes Be Used for Adults in Houston?
Adults experiencing fluid in the ear, chronic allergies, dysfunctional ears with poor hearing or frequent ear infections that haven’t been treated successfully with other options will benefit greatly from ear tube surgery. Ear tube surgery may also be necessary when an adult has abnormal ear anatomy that’s causing frequent ear infections to develop.
What Happens After the Ear Tube Surgery?
The placement of ear tubes hardly causes patients any serious pain. So, if you feel any discomfort, you can take pain medication as prescribed by your doctor. In some cases, you may need to use antibiotic ear drops in the ear that was treated. Anyone using antibiotics must follow directions strictly to prevent the growth of any antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Local anesthesia doesn’t have serious side effects, but you could feel a bit dizzy or tired after the procedure. In such cases, sitting down to rest for an hour will allow the effects of the anesthetic to wear off. After the procedure, you’ll be observed for a while and then given detailed instructions on how to take care of your ears and other aspects of your health just before you’re discharged.
You may need to stay away from swimming for a few days after the surgery to reduce the amount of water and pressure that impacts your ears. However, since recovery time is usually short, you’ll be able to return to work and other normal activities within 24 hours after the ear tubes have been placed.
What Are the Benefits of the In-office Ear Tube Surgical Procedure for Adults in Houston?
Dr. Nguyen’s unique approach to providing convenient and patient-friendly ear tube surgery allows candidates to enjoy:
- Diagnosis within a single visit
- Shorter time off work or away from school
- In-office anesthesia and surgery without visiting the hospital
- Lower cost of treatment since there’s no need for admission and multiple clinical appointments
Do You Want to Know More About Ear Tube Surgery?
You can find out a lot more about Dr. Nguyen’s special approach to providing this effective surgical procedure by contacting him now. If you have frequent ear infections or stuffy ears, please book an assessment with him today. Houston Sinus & Allergy is a specialist ENT practice that serves clients in Houston TX, Cypress/Jersey Village and surrounding cities.
