If the problem doesn’t go away and seems to be affecting your child's hearing, your pediatrician may suggest your child get these tubes. These allow fluid to drain, and they can help prevent infections. If your pediatrician thinks your child needs them, she’ll refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, also called an otolaryngologist. Your child will need minor surgery to get the ear tubes put in. In a hospital, he’ll get medicine so he'll be asleep during the operation, but he should be able to go home when it’s over.