Inside the Ear Tube Debate

You suspect your five-year-old daughter has another ear infection, and you worry that she might need ear tubes. Here’s some good news. New research suggests that ear tubes may not be the best solution for her ear infections. Whereas they remain helpful for children with regular, long-lasting ear infections, many children who experience fluid in the ear don’t need tubes.

“About 60 percent of ear tubes are put in place to treat fluid in the ear that does not cause symptoms,” said Steve Berman, MD, pediatrician on staff at The Children’s Hospital. “Of these cases, the majority are unnecessary.”

The Cause

Dr. Berman cites good intentions as one cause for unnecessary ear tubes. If a child experiences fluid in the ear, mom and dad want to do something to help — especially since untreated ear fluid has been thought to cause learning delays. However, recent research proves there is no language or developmental impairment in children with untreated ear fluid.

With this new finding, the number of children with ear tubes should drop in the coming years. Parents should still have their children’s ears checked if signs of speech or hearing loss is present. 

Vaccinating Confusion

Recently, the buzz has grown over a supposed vaccine against ear infections. Unfortunately, “There is no such thing,” said Steve Berman, MD, pediatrician on staff at The Children’s Hospital. “The vaccine is against pneumococcus, which causes blood infections, pneumonia and meningitis. Data shows kids who get the vaccine have a slight reduction in recurrent ear infections, but it is far from an ear infection vaccine.”

Fast Fact

As The Children’s Hospital continues to partner with the University  of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center — one of the top pediatric research institutions in the country — expect inner ear research to continue advancing forward for the health and well-being of your children.