Sometimes, especially if you have allergies or other upper respiratory issues, a vacuum is created in the middle ear. The vacuum can cause fluid to be produced and build up. Sometimes when that happens, the eustachian tubes won't function (open when you cough, sneeze or yawn), If the fluid sits there long enough, it can turn purulent (infection). It can actully get so thick that the bones in the middle ear can't vibrate to let the sound through properly.
The tubes keep a tiny, tiny hole in the eardrum to prevent the vacuum so the fluid can't keep producing. They stay in the ear an average of 1 year. Most kids only need to have this done one time. Junebugg, hopefully, this is the case with your daughter. If this is done soon enough, she should have no problems with her hearing. It is really a minor surgery...they only do a twilight on little ones, because it is painful to even touch the eardrum. On adults, they ususally just put some lidocane in there and do it while awake. It takes a couple of minutes.
I'm an audiologist, that's why I know about this
