Normally the ear tube sits in the ear drum, held in place with an inner and outer phalange. The inner layer of the ear drum heals behind the ear tube and begins to push it out. This causes the tube to plug while it is still in the ear drum. This mass of blood vessels forms a ball which can fill the ear canal. It often bleeds and drains pus.
Treatment consists of steroid containing antibiotic ear drops and removal of the granuloma.
Using ear drops alone will often melt the granuloma away over 2 to 3 weeks. However, the most effective way to resolve the infection is to remove the granuloma. Because there are no nerve endings in the granuloma it can almost always be removed in the office. It is only attached to the tube by a thin stock and often it can be removed by applying a small amount of suction. Bleeding is brisk but will stop after a cotton ball is placed in the ear canal.