How does a doctor pull fluid out from behind a childs ear drum?
This involves puncturing the ear drum, and sometimes a tiny tube is inserted into the eardrum in severe or recurrent cases for ventilation and equalization of pressure. The eardrum can be patched, and will heal if the procedure is done correctly. An experienced specialist is preferable. Normally, this fluid drains out the eustachian tubes into the throat. But if there is a eustachian tube problem in that it is congested with hard matertial or is infected and swollen, this might not be possible. Sometimes clearing the eustachian tubes is possible for some by simply pinching their nose and blowing until the eustachian tube pops open in the middle ear. There’s even a prescription FDA-approved “ear popper” device that helps clear the eustachian tubes, equalize pressure, and thus helps fluid to drain. Often with ear infections fluid may take a couple weeks or more to fully drain on its own even after the infection is gone. Fluid behind the eardrum can cause temporary hearing loss that usual
