How long should ear tubes stay in before needing removed?my daughter has had them from 9 mos to now, age 4 yrs and they haven't fallen out.

Common to shead: Tubes often fall out after 6+ months but may stay functional & in place much longer. I see little reason to get them out unless there problems. I don't like them swimming in the lakes or ponds with tubes but home pools are generally ok. Some ent's would pull them now if you are concerned.You may want to wait until spring to bypass another respiratory season.

Three years: As an ent, i typically removed tubes in children under age 5 if they have been in place for 36 months or more. In my practice we see kids with tubes every six months. At the thirty month mark, if the tubes are still in i talk to mom and dad about removing the tubes in the office versus going to the operating room if the tubes remain in the ear drum at the 36 month mark.