These tubes usually stay in the eardrum for 6 to 12 months, after which they usually work their way out. If your child shows signs of an ear infection, consult your doctor as soon as possible. That often makes the disorder hard to detect. If you notice any of these in a child, consult the doctor. The doctor can diagnose an ear infection by examining the ears with a special light instrument.
Prompt treatment can relieve pain, cure the infection and prevent permanent hearing loss.
The outer ear includes the pinna, the visible part of the ear, and the ear canal. The outer ear extends to the tympanic membrane or eardrum, which separates the outer ear from the middle ear. The middle ear is an air-filled space that is located behind the eardrum. The inner ear contains the hearing and balance organs. The cochlea is the hearing organ that converts sound waves into electrical signals that are sent as nerve impulses to the brain where they are interpreted.