Hummingbird® Procedure in Minnesota

What is the Hummingbird^® TTS Ear Tube Procedure?

The Hummingbird® TTS Ear Tube Procedure is an in-office option for placing ear tubes in children who experience chronic, treatment-resistant ear infections. The procedure uses a specialized device that allows ear tubes to be quickly inserted while the child remains awake.

Unlike traditional ear tube placement, which typically requires general anesthesia and a hospital setting, the Hummingbird® procedure is performed in our Minnesota office using local or topical anesthesia. The goal is the same as standard ear tubes: to ventilate the middle ear, allow fluid to drain and reduce the risk of future infections while supporting hearing.

Benefits of Hummingbird® TTS Ear Tube Procedure

For many families, the Hummingbird® procedure offers a simpler and more convenient approach to ear tube placement while maintaining the same clinical purpose as traditional tubes.

Benefits include:

• No need for general anesthesia
• A quick procedure that is typically completed in just a few minutes
• A less stressful experience with in-office placement
• Parents can stay in the room with their children during placement, making everything more comfortable for everyone
• Minimal disruption to your child’s routine both before and after the visit

What Symptoms Do Hummingbird® Ear Tubes Help Treat?

Hummingbird® ear tubes help relieve symptoms caused by fluid buildup and pressure in the middle ear. When fluid doesn’t drain properly, it can interfere with hearing and increase the risk of recurring infections.

Ear tubes are commonly used to help treat:

• Recurrent ear infections that continue despite interventional treatment
• Persistent fluid in the middle ear that affects hearing
• Ear pressure or discomfort related to poor ventilation
• Hearing changes that may impact speech or learning

By allowing air to circulate and fluid to drain, ear tubes help restore normal middle ear function and reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms over time.

What Should I Expect During the Hummingbird® Ear Tube Procedure

The Hummingbird® ear tube procedure is designed to be a simple, in-office experience for both children and parents. The entire visit takes place at the ENT office.

Before the procedure begins, the ENT team will walk you through what will happen and make sure your child is feeling comfortable. A topical anesthetic is used to numb the ear, allowing the tube to be placed quickly and precisely. The Hummingbird system enables tube placement in a single, controlled step, which keeps the entire procedure brief.

Parents are typically able to stay with their child throughout the visit, offering reassurance and support. Most children tolerate the procedure well and are able to return to normal activities shortly afterward. Your care team will review what to expect after the visit and provide guidance on follow-up care to ensure the tubes are working as intended.

FAQ About the Hummingbird^® Procedure

How will you get my child to stay still?

To ensure children stay still, we swaddle them in a blanket or wrap them in a protective stabilization device to limit movement. After this, a member of the Renew team will hold your child’s head while one of our ENT surgeons performs wax removal and places the tubes.

Will the procedure be painful?

Before inserting Hummingbird^® ear tubes, the area of placement will be anesthetized, ensuring that your child won’t be able to feel the placement. The discomfort experienced during the process is similar to other routine in-office pediatric procedures.

How long will the procedure take?

The Hummingbird^® device has made ear tube placement highly efficient. Since there’s no general anesthesia, your child will be able to resume normal activities as soon as you leave our clinic.