 |
 |
This
booklet is designed to provide some information concerning
the myringotomy operation, the insertion of a ventilation
tube into the middle ear cavity, and the medical condition
your physician has |
| discovered
which makes these procedures advisable. |
Note:
The information contained in this booklet is not meant to be
used as a subsititute for the advice of a medical doctor. Only
a physician can diagnose the specific medical problem of an individual
and recommend a method of treatment.
 |
The
hearing mechanism can be divided into sections. The first
is the Outer Ear. It includes the part of the ear which you
see plus a short |
| canal
ending with the eardrum. Next is the Middle Ear which contains
a chain of three small bones. A small passage called the Eustachian
Tube leads from the Middle Ear cavity to the back of the throat.
The third section of the ear is the Inner Ear where the nerve
center of hearing, or Cochlea, is located. |
 |
Normally,
the Middle Ear is filled with air. This is necessary for the
general good health of the ear and for the mechanism itself
to work properly. The air pressure in the Middle Ear should
be equal to the air pressure on the outer side |
| of
the eardrum. The Eustachian Tube helps maintain this balance
of air pressure. |
 |
Allergies,
a cold or other nose and throat infection might close the
Eustachian tube, blocking the exchange of air. As a result,
a vacuum may develop in the middle Ear cavity. The air from
the outside will push the eardrum |
| inward
as it tries to fill the vacuum. This causes a painful earache
or a plugged ear feeling. |
 |
Eventually,
the vacuum will pull fluid from the lining of the Middle Ear.
As the fluid fills the cavity, it eliminates the vacuum and
the earache might disappear for a time. However, hearing becomes
less acute as the fluid builds up, |
| and
pain may return as the fluid pressure increases. |
 |
The
fluid, which is like water at first, may get as thick and
sticky as glue if the ear is not treated. Also, infection
could spread to the Mastoid bone and, eventually, might involve
the inner ear. |
 |
The
fluid buildup can also cause the eardrum to break open. That
relieves the pressure which may relieve the pain. But hearing
is impaired and drainage may be a continuing problem. There
is the added danger of tissue growing |
| into
a potentially dangerous false tumor called a Colesteatoma. |
 |
Children
tend to develop Middle Ear infections more often than adults.
Children are more susceptible because a child's Eustachian
Tube is straighter and shorter than an adult's. This provides
easier access for |
| infection-causing
bacteria. If the infection does not respond to antibiotics,
a doctor may decide to perform a minor surgical operation. |
 |
In
the operation, a tiny incision called a myringotomy is made
in the eardrum. Sometimes a small ventilating tube is inserted.
The tube allows a free exchange of air between the Outer Ear
and Middle Ear and effectively replaces the |
| function
of the Eustachian Tube until it can resume normal operation. |
 |
Once
in place, the ventilating tube cannot be felt and is rarely
dislodged. Ventilation eliminates the discomfort caused by
the vacuum and hearing will usually improve. The tube normally
remains in the eardrum from two |
| to
eight months, although it may come out sooner or stay in longer. |
 |
The
tube may have to be removed if it stays in too long, but normally
it works its way out into the canal of the Outer Ear during
the hearing process. If there is no reinfection; the Middle
Ear, Eustachian Tube and hearing |
| mechanism
will return to normal or near normal. |
 |
Be
on the alert for any change in hearing or draining from the
ear. Medical attention is required in either case. Should
the ear become infected again or if fluid should recur and
fill the cavity, another tube may have to be |
| inserted.
In any event, an ear infection should never be neglected since
it can lead to serious consequences. |
 |
There
are some special precautions that should be taken at home
when a person has had a ventilating tube put in the eardrum.
Water should be kept out of the ear as long as the tube is
in place. Avoid undue fatigue, |
| as
it might predispose to a cold. If you sneeze, do so with your
mouth open. Do not blow your nose, instead, you should draw
the mucus into the mouth and "spit out". |
 |
Your
physician is a highly skilled professional who will provide
you and your family with the best possible health care available
anywhere in the world. Consultation with a physician whenever
medical problems |
| involving
the ear are suspected, will help to maintain your very important
sense of hearing. |
Post
operative suggestions
There
are some special precautions that should be taken at home when
a person has had a ventilating tube put in the eardrum.
-
Water
should be kept out of the ear as long as the tube is in place.
-
Avoid
undue fatigue, as it might predispose to a cold.
-
If
you sneeze, do so with your mouth open.
Do not blow your nose, instead, you should draw the mucus
into the mouth and "spit out".
-
Be
on the alert for any change in hearing or draining from the
ear - Medical attention is required.
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