The Hummingbird® TTS Ear Tube Procedure

What is the Hummingbird® TTS Ear Tube Procedure?

Ear tubes have helped children suffering from repeated, long-lasting ear infections since the 1970s. Hummingbird® ear tubes have modernized the ear tube procedure, eliminating the need for general anesthesia or an operating room. With a simple device, this modernized version of the ear tube procedure positions and places the tubes efficiently and safely.

What Are Ear Tubes?

Tympanostomy tubes, or ear tubes, are small tubes inserted into the eardrum by an ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeon. The tube is used to help drain the fluid out of a child’s middle ear. The tubes are recommended for children suffering from fluid in one or both of their ears for three or more months. Here are some issues that are often caused by a buildup of fluid in the ears:

  • Hearing problems
  • Trouble balancing
  • Ear pain
  • Problems with behavior
  • Frequent ear infections

Tubes should fall out after about one year. If they do not come out on their own, you may need to make an appointment to have them removed.

What Makes The Hummingbird® Procedure Different

The Hummingbird® device makes it possible for ear tube placement to be done in-office rather than in the operating room. This eliminates the risk of general anesthesia as well as the need for your child to fast beforehand.

Hummingbird® ear tubes lower the stress of the process for the whole family. Since there’s no longer an operating room involved in the procedure, the price can be greatly reduced. Parents can also stay with their child throughout the process. Since local anesthesia is used rather than general anesthesia, your child won’t feel sick or groggy once the procedure is complete, meaning your kid can immediately go back to being a kid.

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FAQ About the Hummingbird® Procedure

  • How will you get my child to stay still?
    To ensure children stay still, we swaddle them in a blanket or wrap them in a protective stabilization device to limit movement. After this, a member of the Renew team will hold your child’s head while one of our ENT surgeons performs wax removal and places the tubes.
  • Will the procedure be painful?
    Before inserting Hummingbird® ear tubes, the area of placement will be anesthetized, ensuring that your child won’t be able to feel the placement. The discomfort experienced during the process is similar to other routine in-office pediatric procedures.
  • How long will the procedure take?
    The Hummingbird® device has made ear tube placement highly efficient. Since there’s no general anesthesia, your child will be able to resume normal activities as soon as you leave our clinic.
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