What Parents Should Know About Ear Infections and Tubes with Otolaryngologist Dr. Matt Johnson of Valley View ENT

If you’ve ever spent a sleepless night comforting a toddler with an earache, you’re not alone, and Dr. Matt Johnson knows exactly what that’s like. As a board-certified otolaryngologist, father of two and the founding physician of Valley View ENT, which opened its doors in fall 2025, his practice spans everything from thyroid surgery and chronic sinus disease treatment to complex pediatric care and facial reconstruction. But ear infections in children is one of the most common problems he treats.

“Kids have the most issues with their ears around 9 to 18 months,” says Dr. Johnson, who has presented on eustachian tube dysfunction at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. “Often they’re referred to me after having recurrent earaches.” And by recurrent, he means three or more infections in six months, or four in a year. Add in persistent fluid in the middle ear for over three months, noticeable hearing loss, speech delays or infections that just won’t go away even with antibiotics and you’ve got a strong case for ear tubes.

Also known as tympanostomy tubes, these tiny devices are inserted into the eardrum to let air into the middle ear and keep fluid from building up. The procedure is quick, taking just five to ten minutes under general anesthesia (by mask) and kids go home the same day. The tubes typically stay in place for six to eighteen months and fall out naturally. Sometimes, if infections persist, a second set may be needed.

Ear tubes can offer several important benefits, says Dr. Johnson. They provide relief from chronic ear pressure and pain, allow for fewer infections and offer a reduced need for antibiotics. For some kids ear tubes can lead to improved hearing and speech development. Dr. Johnson is candid about the alternatives, too. “For families who want to avoid surgery, there are aggressive medicines I can prescribe,” he says, “but in my opinion, these are harder on children than the surgery.”

He’s a strong advocate for ear tubes for kids when they’re needed. “Ear tubes for chronic ear infections or ear fluid are standard of care across the nation,” he says. “They are amazing and work extraordinarily well, improving nearly all recurrent or chronic ear infections or fluid and are extremely low risk.”

To learn more about Valley View ENT and Dr. Johnson, visit https://www.vvh.org/valley-view-ent-clinic/