Are pe tubes used to treat ear infections?

No: Tympanostomy tube, so called "tube, " is primarily to drain fluid out of middle ear and to restore the hearing, not to treat ear infection. Therefore, some children still experience ear infections after the insertion of "tube.".

Not really: They are often part of an overall approach to recurrent infections. After 5 in a year or one that doesn't clear in 90 days, there may be muck in the middle ear that needs to be removed to allow the space to heal. The tubes are left in to provide air exchange & reduce the rate of recurrence. Over time the tube sheds & hopefully no further problems require a new set.