In the U.S., otitis media, or middle ear infection, is the most commonly diagnosed illness after the common cold. And the insertion of ear tubes is the most common operation after the newborn period. The intent is to relieve persistent middle-ear fluid.

That fluid accumulates because the angle of the Eustachian tube, a tube that connects the ear to the back of the throat, is straighter, shorter, and floppier than in adults. As a result, the tube can close more easily and actually create a vacuum, sucking in fluid and bacteria and keeping it there. The fluid can irritate and cause the inflammation of the lining of the middle ear.

The answer is to put in an ear tube, which keeps the pressure normalized, and prevents fluid and bacteria from entering the middle ear area.

Dr. Richard Rosenfeld, the Director of Pediatric ENT at Long Island College Hospital, says, "For many parents and many children, it really is a wonderful solution to the alternative to the hearing loss and the delays and the antibiotics and the suffering."

Many ear tube placements have occurred because of concern that the often-seen hearing loss with middle ear fluid would have lasting damage on speech, language, mental abilities and social development. But now, the latest research in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that, in otherwise healthy children who have persistent middle ear fluid, there’s no benefit to immediately putting in ear tubes to prevent developmental delays. Even those children who waited up to nine months later to get the tubes placed did just as well, with no signs of developmental delays.

"You shouldn’t operate on children without a problem it seems sort of obvious to most people but in the past years ago there was a tendency to operate with kids with ear fluids simply because it hadn't gone away in a few months," says Dr. Rosenfeld.

Still, ear tubes do have several benefits when used appropriately. "Children who are suffering because of balance problems, discomfort, frequent antibiotics, frequent ear infections, or children who are at risk for speech language or learning problems such as children with developmental delays," states Dr. Rosenfeld.

Christina says the ear tubes were used appropriately for her son. "I never have to think about his ears I never have to spend restless nights with him crying in my arms and you can’t console a child who has an ear infection."

From WVEC.com