Ear Tubes
For most parents, the hardest part of ear tube surgery isn't the tubes — it's the general anesthesia and the surgery center visit that comes with it. We do it differently.
How the Hummingbird System Works
The Hummingbird Tympanostomy Tube System is an FDA-cleared device that lets us place ear tubes right in the office instead of an operating room. There's no general anesthesia and no separate surgery center visit to schedule around — it's designed specifically for children and built for a quicker, more convenient visit for families.
When Ear Tubes Are Considered
Several ear infections in a single year that keep coming back despite treatment
Fluid that stays behind the eardrum for months (otitis media with effusion), even without an active infection
Fluid buildup that's starting to affect hearing or, in young children, speech development
A provider has already raised ear tubes as the next step in an ongoing conversation about recurring ear issues
Ready to Ask About Ear Tubes?
Ask your provider whether the Hummingbird system is a fit for your child's ears — same-day and next-day appointments are often available.
The Procedure & Recovery
Tubes are placed right in the office using the Hummingbird system — no operating room, no general anesthesia, and no separate surgery center visit to schedule around.
What to expect afterward
Most children go home the same day with no restrictions beyond keeping water out of the ear during bathing and swimming, per your provider's instructions.
Common questions
How many ear infections is too many? There's no single number, but several infections in a year, or fluid that won't clear, is a reasonable point to bring up ear tubes with your provider.
Is this the same as ear tube surgery at a hospital? The goal is the same — draining fluid and equalizing pressure behind the eardrum — but the Hummingbird system is designed to do it in the office, without general anesthesia.
Can adults get ear tubes too? Ear tubes come up most often for children, but the same conversation can apply to adults with recurring fluid or pressure issues — ask your provider whether it fits your situation.
When to Call Us
Watch for drainage that doesn't clear, ongoing pain, or a tube that appears to have come out earlier than expected, and call if any of those show up.
