Do Ear Tubes Require Removal? Posted on October 15, 2026 by Goodyear Office Ear infections are a common condition among children, with U.S. pediatricians diagnosing about 15 million cases each year. If your child has recurrent ear infections or their ear infections are accompanied by fluid buildup that doesn’t drain, we may recommend ear tubes. How Do Ear Tubes Help? Ear tubes are small cylinders that we place in the eardrum. They help drain fluid from the middle ear and reduce pressure in it. We typically recommend them if a child’s fluid buildup lasts longer than three months. The Ins and Outs of Ear Tube Removal While ear tubes require surgery to be placed, most fall out on their own. Ear tube removal is usually only necessary if the tubes haven’t fallen out by two or three years after placement, or if they are no longer necessary. If the tube falls out prematurely, we may recommend placing the tube in the ear again. The eardrum closes around the tube to hold it in place. As the eardrum continues to heal, it pushes the tube out. Most tubes fall out within two years. They almost always fall out into the ear canal, where they’ll fall out of the ear, likely without your child noticing. In some cases, they can get stuck in wax in the ear canal; we can remove them using special tools if that happens. They can occasionally fall into the middle ear, but they are unlikely to cause problems and can be removed if necessary. If an ear tube stays in your child’s ear for too long, we can remove it using special tools and, if necessary, perform a procedure called a myringoplasty. During a myringoplasty, your child’s ENT surgeon will place a graft—made of gel foam, surgical paper or tissue or cartilage from another part of the body—over the hole in the eardrum to promote healing. Schedule an ENT Appointment If you’re considering ear tubes to help manage your child’s ear infections, contact our Goodyear Office to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists. What Causes Popping or Crackling in Your Ears?What You Should Do When Your Child Gets Something Stuck in Their EarMinimizing Your Risk of Swimmer’s Ear This Summer Sources Cleveland Clinic. (2026). Ear infection (otitis media). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8613-ear-infection-otitis-media