Now a new study takes a closer look at ear tubes, the common treatment. Hundreds of thousands of children every year have ear infections severe enough to cause temporary hearing loss. It's a big reason doctors recommend ear tubes. By keeping the ears clear of fluid, doctors thought the tubes would help prevent speech and developmental problems. But maybe not.
Ear infections are a painful rite of passage for too many infants.
Besides the discomfort and fever, fluid build-up in the baby's ears can cause temporary hearing loss. It's a major concern, because so much development happens in those early months. If fluid persists for weeks or months, doctors fear development will be harmed. By one estimate nearly 300,000 toddlers go through surgery each year to have ear tubes placed. The tubes, implanted in the eardrum, allow fluid to drain out.