Ear Tube Removal: when and why do we take ear tubes out, what is the aftercare

This video is about Ear Tube Removal when and why do we take ear tubes out, what is the aftercare
Summary:
We consider taking tubes out if they've been in longer than 2-3 years
Tubes that don't come out on their own lead to increased risk of permanent holes in the eardrum (tympanic membrane perforation).
Taking tubes out takes seconds to minutes. For adults, this can be done in the office. For children, this usually requires anesthesia by mask.
After removing the tubes, sometimes a patch is placed.
During the healing process of a few weeks, limit nose blowing, avoid pressure changes like airplanes and flying, avoid water exposure such as swimming.
Usually ear drops will be recommended - see video for instructions re: technique.
Medical Disclaimer: All comments are generalizations and intended to be for educational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

[@babeena_gt_3645]

My ear tubes fell out on their own,but I'm now deaf in my left ear

[@JeffreyKahnartist]

Thanks

[@jeangleason632]

Can you use a netti pot after ear tube removal and patch used

[@stormsmith6772]

I had ear tubes placed 4 times and since I have not had any ear infections, hopefully I will never need to go back and get another set put in...but if I do,I would rather be put under general anesthesia.

[@mcjaystar]

My ent said he couldn’t do eat tubes as my case is more complicated?? Im having head ct scans now but not sure why

[@tiffanymarkins4973]

I have a ear tube but its not doing what it support too I have to get it taken out

[@amrshahshaheen1382]

How long can t tube stil in ear drum???

[@yoheshgaming2722]

grommet help tinnitus?

[@augustobull1569]

Hi sir my good friend has an artificial piece in her ear she dosent remember the exact name of this artificial piece she said she got in a surgury in 1984 now in 2020 she having pain in her ear cuz of she said she feels like this piece is moved inside her ear what should we do sir ?

[@Rubenejwjw]

My son got ear tubes when he was 1 and a half right now he will turn 5 and still has 1 ear tube .can this be painful ? Since he has the ear tube for a long time .

[@crazyforfun4310]

Please doctor tell me. Is removing the tube 1 week after surgery is safe?

[@terryb3580]

I had tubes in that i removed after a week due to increased dizziness,headaches and the muffled sounds they created. Its been 3 days since removal and i have bad headaches and dizziness ..How long do side effects last after removal..

[@leonardgardner3902]

Dr. Liu, I had my ear tube removed after 1 week because it was painful and I always felt pressure and fullness in my ear. Originally, it was placed because I had a crackling sound in my ear that the ENT thought occurred because of weight loss. Now, that the tube is removed, I still feel a fullness, slight pain, and a feeling that my ear needs to be popped. It is very annoying and difficult to deal with. What could be causing this?

[@sierrawilliamson8189]

Update? Did it resolve itself? Dealing with the same currently

[@jens6039]

Same with me! Anyone feeling better?

[@AK-om3gn]

Hey do you feel better now?

[@jannrobertyap6560]

My son (4y/o)will have his adenoidectomy +tonsillectomy +ear tube insertion this week, is there any activities that he should avoid after surgery e specifically in school?

[@GeneLiuMD]

Check out my videos on post op tonsillectomy and post op adenoidectomy. These questions are addressed there.

[@kathleencunningham8387]

My 8 year old son has ear tube removal two weeks ago. There were no ear drops prescribed and my son wound up with a cold that also caused fluid in his ear. He was put on 10 days of antibiotics. That has been completed and he is starting to get the cold back and complaining of "stinging" (his word) in the effected ear. I am concerned about how much this will effect a good outcome. We are currently in the wait and see period, but I was wondering if you had any thoughts about the likelihood that the hole closes given this fact pattern.

[@crazyforfun4310]

I little hearing loss after tympanostomy with ear tubes. I had operation 2 days ago. It is normal?

[@AK-om3gn]

Hey did you get the tubes removed? I hope you feel better now!

[@pacobanana6505]

Had mine remove today after 4 years and a little granuloma formed close to it. They took out the granuloma and cotorised it with silver hydrate. Its been 8 hours and it hurt really bad.

[@stormsmith6772]

Don't you mean silver nitrate?

[@goldengirl7823]

Thank you for this great video, there is very little info on the internet about removing ear tubes. My son (almost 5) has had his tubes in for over three years and the dr wants to take them out now. What are the risks of leaving them in besides permanent eardrum holes? His adenoids are moderately enlarged so we want to take those out at the same time. Do you ever see ear tubes in children causing significant noise sensitivity? Thank you!

[@GeneLiuMD]

The main concern is re: permanent holes - which can have long term effects on hearing, but also issues with swimming/diving in deeper waters. If it seems that a child has outgrown the need for tubes, and that they have been in a while (2-3 years), most everyone recommends removal. If the adenoids are an issue, it would make sense to address at the same time under one anesthetic as opposed to potentially doing it under 2 separate times. Usually tubes have no significant impact on "noise sensitivity", but never say never.

[@goldengirl7823]

@@GeneLiuMD Than you very much for your reply, I really appreciate it. We certainly want to do both procedures together but I am wary about the recovery for adenoids. He does not snore but is typically congested and occasionally (for years) has been waking up choking and gasping for air. It's horrifying to watch but we've always attributed it to reflux. I'm just afraid of doing anything unnecessarily (typical nervous mother). Thanks again for your reply.

[@wannabespacetravlr]

I’m 20, I had my tubes put in at the age of 5. I was told that they would fall out on their own overtime, my GP always saw them every check up and never said anything. Around the age of 9 my left tube fell out, but the one on the right is still there. My left ear has been having lots of earaches and sometimes my right ear; it got so bad at one point I had to go to the hospital because an inner ear infection caused my lymph node to swell. I feel like my left ear has lost some hearing but my right seems ok for now. I read somewhere recently that if they stay in for longer than 7 years it begins to scar, & if they stay in longer than 15 years it becomes a threat to your hearing, I don’t know if that was a credible source though. What should I do ?

[@madisonjacob4130]

As a licensed YTV (KZbin viewer) I would suggest seeing a licensed ENT

[@saraoktober6]

I know I placed a comment on someone elses- but I absolutely had issues getting one tube placed. I instantly was off balance, dizzy (vertigo) had pressure in my head that was hard to explain and had the feeling of needing pressure over my ears. I didnt think this could happen but I guess it can.

[@crazyforfun4310]

How you feeling now? You put em out?

[@livestreaming7295]

Is it normal to encounter ear ringing after the procedure? I had this done today and the ear ringing is gone but after they put the tube. The ear ringing is comeback and it’s high but the good thing is i feel relief. I was wondering it’s because of the tube but the doctor said he will remove it after 7 days.

[@crazyforfun4310]

How you feeling now?

[@punchjumper3744]

I had tubes placed when I was 7, I’m 22 now and I still have a tube in my right ear. Only now am I able to see my ent tomorrow. Nervous but I hope they can just pull it out

[@GeneLiuMD]

Usually it can be done int he office

[@brett_h17]

How’d it go? I’m in the same predicament now and will probably have to get surgery to remove mine

[@punchjumper3744]

@@brett_h17 ended up needing surgery to remove mine. Surgery took about 30 mins and I’ve had 0 trouble ever since

[@daniellebell6367]

How was recovery?

[@elizabetrodriguez7778]

One day on clear tube and i see no results. The Bothers still my ear. and some pain. Emergency dr put it. I take antibiotic oral and ear and in one result i have seen no result. Thank You

[@makennakottre4931]

Do they always put the child under anesthesia? I know they don’t with adults because you said they don’t. I remember I had to get my tubes removed because they didn’t come out. I was fully conscious when they did this. They wrapped me up in this cocoon thing to make me still. That seems so wrong it definitely didn’t make me any calmer. The whole situation was absolutely awful for me. I am lucky though I don’t have any permanent damage from the tubes as far as I know

[@GeneLiuMD]

It''s definitely not "always". It really depends on the child (age, behavior, underlying health issues, etc), parental preference, and doctor preference. There are advantages and risks to doing it in the office awake, or in the OR asleep. Almost always, if we need to remove tubes from a cooperative adult, this can be easily done in the office.

[@makennakottre4931]

Gene Liu, MD, MMM thank you

[@lauraeager373]

I’ve had 2 sets of tubes placed under general anesthesia as an adult due to low pain tolerance and ptsd-related anxiety from a non-ENT procedure. Easier for the doctor to have pt under GA

[@vibrome1418]

I got mine removed today and it was super horrible. The Dr yanked my right ear on out. It took him 3 trys. I didn't get any numbing drops just straight went in and pulled them out. I'm still in and a little dizzy. After he pulled them out he just said you'll be fine see you in 3 weeks and walked away. 😣😣😣

[@livestreaming7295]

Hi how are you now?

[@memeKid--]

Whats is your current situation now?

[@holyroarministries6765]

Did your hearing feel muffled or different in any way directly after?

[@imapaperdoll2218]

So I don't need to go under to have my tubes removed?? I did have to be put to sleep to have them put in and it was such a pain in the ass.

[@lauraeager373]

I’d go under GA for both insertion and removal as someone with ptsd and low pain tolerance

[@boonboon9118]

Hey there I am going to be getting mine removed soon, Did you have to go under??? and how was your hearing after they got removed ?? i been suffering ETD for 1.5 years and they installed tubes 1.5 months ago and the tubes just made it worse.

[@Alexx-nm2ll]

Mine did not close and I have a permanent hole in my eardrum and partial hearing loss.

[@napajlove]

Alexx me to ☹️

[@GeneLiuMD]

This is thankfully really rare. And if the hearing issues are from the hole, this can be patched/fixed.

[@megantolson]

I had that too. And I had the surgery to close the hole

[@JN-gh4hm]

Hello, I have had tubes installed (3 weeks ago) and now I have been nauseous for 3 weeks and I also have a constant pressure on my head as if I am not myself anymore. I want them out again but the doctor doesnt want to remove them because everythings seems fine. What is your opinion?

[@GeneLiuMD]

Too many questions for me to render an opinion. Definitely not normal to have all of those symptoms from a tube placement. If you don't like the opinion of the first doc, the best option is to get a 2nd opinion. Only someone that sees you, takes a full account of your history, examines your ears, etc... can really give a remotely useful answer.

[@saraoktober6]

I can relate. I had one ear tube placed I've had vertigo, nausea, and off balance. I have lots of crackling and popping constantly. Getting the tube out Tuesday. Ear muffs help the pressure feeling

[@imapaperdoll2218]

@@saraoktober6 me too. For some reason ear plugs help with all the craziness my ears are going through. Not sure why.

[@chriss6406]

Omg...I had a tube put in my right ear last week and this "fix" is worse than the initial issue! Muffled on that side, like someone shoved as much cotton as they could into my head, a constant high pitched whine, I sometimes feel like my eyes are rolling back to my head, I can't eat and I get a headache on that right side every day. ENT who did refuses to take out the tube because "it's doing it's job" and the 2nd opinion said no to taking out the tube because then I'd get hearing loss from doing that. I'm so miserable and spend and have spent every day, all day crying and have spiraled into a very dark place and no one will listen to me or help me! I just want this tube out and my life back

[@gustavo31313131]

@@chriss6406 I hear you man I got mine removed yesterday and I can’t hear well at all. I hope you got better

[@gustavo31313131]

I had my ear tubes removed this morning and everything sounds muffled :((( what can I do? Please

[@gustavo31313131]

update: it resolved in about 2 weeks time

[@crazyforfun4310]

How long you had ear tube? Doctor put them out in the office? I feel bad after tympanostomy, its 4 day and i want put them out

[@holyroarministries6765]

I just got mine out and it's definitely muffled. It's normal? I sure hope it's temporary 🥺

[@DerekDutton99]

I had tubes put in my ears when I was a baby. Now I am 20 and I am having constant ear infections and drainage

[@brett_h17]

Same man did you you ever find out why??

[@DerekDutton99]

@@brett_h17 Update : I was medically prescribed oral antibiotics and ear drops to take. It was essentially enough to get rid of the fungi ear infection. It’s finally gone and I’m normal. I guess I’ve had it so long because the ear drops my previous doctors gave me didn’t work and I need actual antibiotics.

[@wannabespacetravlr]

Same, i got mine when I was 5 & am 20 rn, I still have one in my right ear… & also… update ??

[@DerekDutton99]

@@wannabespacetravlr I posted an update

[@alejandracaceres4683]

Dear Dr. Lui, I am a 25 yr old female with a history of left eustachian tube dysfunction caused by recurrent otitis media in the left ear as a child (6yr). Although I had ear an tube placed in my left ear when I was 12 years old, I had persistent tympanic membrane perforation that took many years to heal. At the age of 15, I started to feel better but the Eustachian tube dysfunction remained. Today, my TM is intact but has atelectasis and retraction. My doctor suggested putting an ear tube to help with ventilation and hearing loss. Because of the traumatic experience from multiple ear infections when I was a child, I am scared/afraid to have the ear tube in my ear again. However, I think I will decide to have the ear tube because currently I can not fly/travel anywhere but to the air pressure in the plane (my ear just does not tolerate it, it's extremely painful). If anyone relates to this case or has any suggestions please let me know. I will be happy to hear them. Dr. Lui, I would appreciate your opinion and I would like to know what size of the tube should I get. (small/medium/big?) Thank you!

[@mattt198654321]

Just see the doctor

[@christophergalluzzi3554]

They stay the six months to two years😡