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Ear shunting

During ear shunting, a small ventilation tube, or shunt, is inserted into the eardrum, allowing air to move from the external auditory canal to the middle ear and helping to ensure adequate ventilation of the middle ear.

Text reviewed by specialist:

dr Risto Vaikjärv

Ear, nose, and throat specialist, Somnologist

Published

Text updated

When to see a specialist

  • Frequent ear infections: If there are three episodes of acute otitis media within half a year or 4 episodes within a year. 
  • Persistent fluid in the middle ear: If fluid (mucus) in the middle ear does not resolve in a child within 3 months. 
  • Pressure or fullness in the ear: Pressure in the ear caused by fluid that does not resolve or recurs constantly.

Common symptoms

  • Delayed speech and language development in children due to hearing loss

    Slower progress in acquiring speech and language skills in children, directly linked to impaired hearing.

  • Frequent middle ear infections

    Frequent middle ear infections may be due to enlarged adenoids.

  • Hearing loss or impairment

    Changes in hearing, such as decreased hearing, muffled sounds, or a feeling of blocked ears.

  • Persistent fluid in the middle ear, i.e., glue ear

    Glue ear can be caused by an enlargened adenoid.

How to prepare for your appointment

  • Bring your ID card or other identification document to the clinic. 
  • Before the operation, an ENT consultation is necessary to assess the suitability of the operation. In children, ear shunting is performed under general anesthesia and often together with adenoid removal. In adults, ear shunting can be performed under local anesthesia. 
  • Always inform the doctor about all your medications, supplements, and allergies. In case of general anesthesia, come for the operation only when completely healthy. There should be no fever, acute cough, or rhinitis at the time of the operation. Inform the clinic if you have fallen ill.

What to expect during your appointment

Consultation

Before the operation, an ear, nose, and throat doctor’s consultation is necessary to assess the suitability and need for the operation. 

On the day of the operation

Before the operation under general anesthesia, you must not eat for at least 6 hours and not drink for at least 4 hours. Operation: A small incision is made in the eardrum. If there is fluid in the middle ear, it is aspirated. A shunt is inserted into the eardrum. 

After the operation

After the operation, the patient is monitored for a few hours in the recovery room. When waking up from general anesthesia, the child may be restless and confused, more tearful than usual. The parent can stay with the child the entire time. You can go home after a few hours. 

Recovery

There is no pain after ear shunting. And you can go to kindergarten/school the very next day. Nowadays, swimming with shunts is also allowed, and the ears do not need to be protected separately.

Specialists providing this service

Payment & Appointment Info

Prices

Tallinn

Special care
Service Price
Tympanostomy tube insertion The need for and suitability of the procedure will be assessed during a prior consultation with a specialist in Meliva, and the decision to proceed will be made jointly with the specialist. 800 €

Everywhere else in Estonia

Special care
Service Price
Tympanostomy tube insertion The need for and suitability of the procedure will be assessed during a prior consultation with a specialist in Meliva, and the decision to proceed will be made jointly with the specialist. 800 €
Payment methods

With a doctor’s referral, Meliva Health Insurance covers this service under Outpatient Care coverage. Check your personal coverage limits in the ERGO app.

The service at Tartu Kvartal clinic is funded by the Health Insurance Fund based on a referral. To book an appointment funded by the Health Insurance Fund, please call +372 605 1500 or write to klienditugi@meliva.ee.

Referral

An appointment with a specialist is required first to assess whether the service is suitable or necessary.

Clinics offering this service

Related services

  • Adenoidectomy
    Adenoidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove adenoids located in the nasopharynx to alleviate breathing difficulties and recurrent infections.

  • Audiometry
    Pure-tone audiometry is a hearing test that measures a person’s hearing threshold, which is the sound level they can hear at different frequencies.

  • CELON
    Turbinate reduction is a surgical procedure that improves nasal breathing by removing mucosal and bone tissue.

  • Ear irrigation
    Ear irrigation is a quick and safe procedure that helps remove excess earwax from the ear canal.

  • Ear, nose and throat doctor appointment
    An ear, nose, and throat doctor, or otorhinolaryngologist, helps diagnose and treat diseases of the ear, nose, and throat region.

  • Septoplasty
    Septoplasty is a surgical procedure that corrects the nasal septum, which separates the nostrils, to improve nasal breathing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do shunts stay in the ear? 

Shunts usually stay in place for 1-2 years and mostly come out naturally on their own. In some cases, the doctor may recommend their removal. 

Can I swim or get water in my ear after the procedure? 

Nowadays, swimming and getting water in the ear are allowed according to the treatment guidelines. However, in individual cases, if inflammation occurs or water causes discomfort, the doctor may recommend protecting the ears from water. 

When should I contact a doctor after the procedure? 

You should contact a doctor if: there is a large amount of foul-smelling discharge from the ear; there is severe pain or fever; hearing suddenly worsens; severe dizziness occurs. 

May shunting need to be repeated? 

Yes, in some people, the problem may recur after the shunt is removed, and a new procedure may then be necessary. 

Do I need to go for follow-up appointments with shunts, and how often? 

As long as the shunts remain in the ear, follow-up appointments usually take place every 3–6 months.