A common ear tube insertion at surgery center facility in U.S. includes
| |
Units |
Avg Cash price |
Provider |
Ear, nose, & throat doctor visit provider fee
First time visit
Standard
|
1 |
$148 |
Provider fee to incise (cut) eardrum and insert eardrum tube
Under local or topical anesthesia
Bilateral Procedure
|
1 |
$253 |
Provider fee to incise (cut) eardrum and insert eardrum tube
Under general anesthesia
Bilateral Procedure
|
1 |
$305 |
Facility |
Surgery center fee to cut into eardrum for suction or inflation
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$129 |
Surgery center fee to incise (cut) eardrum and insert eardrum tube
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$173 |
Prescriptions |
HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Standard
Standard
|
30 |
$16 |
Total average cash price |
|
A common ear tube insertion at outpatient hospital facility in U.S. includes
| |
Units |
Avg Cash price |
Provider |
Ear, nose, & throat doctor visit provider fee
First time visit
Standard
|
1 |
$148 |
Provider fee to incise (cut) eardrum and insert eardrum tube
Under local or topical anesthesia
Bilateral Procedure
|
1 |
$253 |
Provider fee to incise (cut) eardrum and insert eardrum tube
Under general anesthesia
Bilateral Procedure
|
1 |
$305 |
Facility |
Surgery center fee to cut into eardrum for suction or inflation
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$129 |
Surgery center fee to incise (cut) eardrum and insert eardrum tube
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$173 |
Prescriptions |
HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Standard
Standard
|
30 |
$16 |
Total average cash price |
|
During ear tube surgery, also known as a myringotomy, a tiny tube is inserted into the eardrum. These tubes may be called tympanoplasty tubes, ventilation tubes, myringotomy tubes, or pressure equalization tubes. Ear tubes may be made of metal or plastic.
Once the tube is inserted, fluid that would typically build up behind the eardrum can drain. Ear tubes are often recommended for recurrent ear infections and persistent fluid buildup behind the eardrum.
Ear tube insertion or myringotomy is very fast. The procedure typically takes about 15 minutes to perform. Children having ear tubes placed will receive general anesthesia and be monitored in recovery for a few hours before being released to home.
Adults may have ear tubes placed in the doctor’s office. Your doctor will give you numbing drops in the ear before the procedure.
There is minimal discomfort with ear tubes. If you feel any pain, you may take over-the-counter medications, and your doctor may prescribe ear drops to help with the pain.
Hearing should be restored right away after a myringotomy. Fluid in the middle ear is suctioned during the tube insertion. If there has been some hearing loss before the surgery, your doctor will order an audiogram to test hearing after tube insertion.
Ear tube surgery has a rapid recovery time. The procedure is done as a same-day outpatient surgery for children and sometimes in the doctor’s office for adults. Regular activity can be resumed within 24 hours of the surgery. Most adults are able to drive themselves home from the doctor’s office after an ear tube insertion.
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic ear drops to use after the surgery.
Avoid getting water in your ears for the first week after surgery. After this, it is fine to swim and get your head wet. Earplugs are no longer recommended after ear tube surgery.
Ear tubes will fall out within four to 18 months after surgery. Occasionally, tubes do not fall out on their own and need to be removed with surgery. The holes will heal by themselves. If the holes do not heal on their own, they may require surgical repair.
Ear tube surgery is usually a quick and easy procedure. However possible risks of surgery include the following:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Continued fluid drainage
- Tubes become blocked with blood or drainage
- Tubes that fall out early or stay in too long
- Holes that remain in the eardrum after the tube falls out
- Complications from anesthesia
About the ear tube insertion Average Cash Prices
This procedure is most commonly performed at either a surgery center or an outpatient hospital.
Surgery centers, also known as ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), are independent, licensed medical
facilities that are governed by distinct regulatory requirements compared with a hospital. Procedures
performed at an ASCs are often less expensive than when they are performed at an outpatient hospital,
but they typically offer fewer complimentary services, and may not have the full-range of support
services that a hospital provides.
Outpatient facilities are outpatient departments or clinics that may be within or next to a hospital,
but is owned and run by the affiliated hospital. These facilities can perform surgical treatments and
procedures that do not require an overnight stay. Procedures performed at an outpatient hospital are
often more expensive than when they are performed in an ambulatory surgery center, but outpatient
hospitals may offer more complimentary and support services for patients because they are connected to
the hospital system.
