Progressive hearing loss after ear infection. how can i prevent this?

Ear tubes: Patients who have an effusion or "fluid" present behind the ear drum for more than 90 days may have permanent damage to the hearing mechanism. For this reason patients who have fluid deep to the ear drum are often given ear tubes. This is a five minute office procedure for adult patients. Topical anesthetic is place on the ear drum, a microscopic cut placed, and a tube inserted in the incision.