Getting Ready for In-Office Ear Tubes (Hummingbird)

How is the procedure done?

• Ear tubes are tiny vents placed in the eardrum. The Hummingbird system places the tube in our office, without general anesthesia.
• Your child is held still during the procedure, so the ear can be worked on safely.
• Looking through a microscope, we remove any earwax from the ear canal.
• A numbing medicine (phenol) is put on the eardrum, which numbs it right away.
• The Hummingbird device makes a small opening in the front part of the eardrum and places the tube in one step.
• Any fluid behind the eardrum is removed with suction, and ear drops are put in.
• Tubes usually stay in place for 6 to 18 months, then fall out on their own. Sometimes they fall out sooner or stay longer.

Our ear tubes page explains who ear tubes help.

What are the risks?

Every procedure has risks. We will go over them with you, and you can ask about any of them.

• Pain, bleeding and infection are risks of any procedure.
• Hearing loss is a risk of any ear procedure, but it is very rare with ear tubes.
• Ear drainage happens in up to 1 in 4 children with tubes. It is treated with ear drops.
• A hole in the eardrum can stay after the tube falls out. This happens in about 2 in 100 cases with short-term tubes.
• Eardrum scarring. It usually causes no symptoms, but rarely it can affect hearing.
• Cholesteatoma, skin growing into the space behind the eardrum, happens in fewer than 1 in 100. It can cause long-lasting infections and drainage and would need more surgery.
• More sets of tubes or other procedures may be needed.

How do I get ready?

• Before the procedure

  • Give us a list of every medicine your child takes.
  • Tell us if your child takes any medicine that thins the blood. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

• Eating and drinking

  • Your child can eat and drink as usual. No general anesthesia is used.

• The day of the procedure

  • Bring your photo ID, insurance card and your child’s list of medicines.
  • A favorite toy or comfort item can help.

What happens after the procedure?

• Most children go back to daycare or school, and their usual activities, the next day.
• A little drainage for the first few days can be normal. Later drainage is treated with antibiotic ear drops.
• Ear plugs are not needed for baths, showers or clean pools.
• Your first follow-up visit is usually about 2 weeks after the procedure, then checkups about every 6 months until the tubes come out.

The Ear Tube Recovery Guide has everything you need after the procedure, including when to call us.

When should I call before surgery?