Ventilation tubes (VTs) are tiny hollow tube-shaped medical devices that are used to bypass a blocked Eustachian tube. They release the negative pressure that builds up behind the eardrum when the Eustachian tube does not function properly, remove the resulting fluid accumulation from the middle ear and restore hearing loss. They are also placed to restore the normal position of a collapsed eardrum due to chronic negative pressure and may play a role in preventing cholesteatoma development.
VTs come in a variety of materials, sizes and shapes. They vary in the length of time they will stay patent and effective. Small, short-acting grommet-shaped tubes last for a few months, and large T-tubes can last many years. The flanges of a T tube help to anchor it in place under the eardrum.
