Consistent evidence from well-conducted studies shows that surgical placement of tympanostomy tubes (TTs) in children with frequent otitis media (OM) improves school outcomes by reducing absences and improving educational achievement. TTs do not appear to reduce behavioral or social problems and have no effect on quality of life in children with recurrent OM.
Some evidence from case-control studies suggests that TTs may decrease the risk of long-term psycho-social impairment and the need for special education in children with severe OM.