The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) published the Clinical Practice Guideline: Tympanostomy Tubes in Children (Update) today in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. Tympanostomy tubes, also called ear tubes, are effective in reducing or eliminating middle ear infections and eliminating persistent middle ear fluid and hearing loss that is related to middle ear fluid.