Is Hummingbird Right for My Child?
Does your child keep getting ear infections? Discover how quick in-office ear tube placement with the Hummingbird can improve hearing and reduce infections.
If your child has had multiple ear infections, trouble with fluid behind the eardrum, or hearing loss from persistent fluid, you may have heard about ear tubes. Ear tubes are one of the most common procedures in children. They help drain fluid, reduce infections, and improve hearing and speech development.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) recommends considering tubes if your child has:
3 or more ear infections in 6 months, or
4 or more ear infections in 12 months
Tubes may also be recommended if fluid stays behind the eardrum for more than 3 months and is affecting hearing.
Traditionally, tubes are placed in the operating room. This requires overnight fasting, the risks general anesthesia, the possibility of emergence delirium, and the extra costs of the operating room facilities and an anesthesia provider. For many families, that feels overwhelming. That’s where the Hummingbird procedure comes in.
What is Hummingbird?
The Hummingbird is an FDA-approved device that allows ear tubes to be placed in the office without general anesthesia. The device combines a small incision in the eardrum (myringotomy) and tube placement into one quick step, usually taking just a couple seconds.
Because it’s done in the office, children can stay awake, no fasting, no general anesthesia risk, no post-operative emergence delirium, no OR facility cost, no anesthesia provider cost.
Benefits of Tubes
Ear tubes can make a big difference for kids and families. They work in several important ways:
Improved hearing: Removing fluid from behind the eardrum allows sound to travel normally again.
Cures infections: Tubes let infected fluid drain out, which treats the infection directly.
Better ventilation: The tube brings fresh air into the middle ear, which reduces the risk of future infections.
Early detection: When infections occur, drainage through the tube makes them easier to identify.
Topical treatment: With a tube in place, infections can be treated with ear drops instead of oral antibiotics, delivering the medicine directly where it is needed rather than exposing the whole body to the antibiotic
Who is a Good Candidate?
The Hummingbird procedure is especially well-suited for young children who need tubes and can tolerate a quick in-office procedure. Good candidates are typically:
Children between 6 months and 5 years old (though older kids may do well too)
Kids with recurrent ear infections or persistent fluid causing hearing issues
Families looking for a safe, fast alternative to the operating room
What Do Parents Say About It?
Parents are often surprised at how fast and easy the Hummingbird procedure is. Many children are back to playing within minutes. Families appreciate avoiding the risks, stress, and cost of anesthesia
Is Hummingbird Right for Your Child?
If your child meets the criteria for ear tubes, Hummingbird may be a safe, effective, and convenient option to avoid the operating room. The best next step is to schedule a consultation. Together, we’ll review your child’s history, exam, and whether in-office tubes are the right choice.
