The Impact of Sociodemographic Factors on Rates of Tympanostomy Tube Placement for Pediatric Otitis Media.

Rates of access to pediatric ENT clinics, and of tube placement, are significantly lower for those of Hispanic ethnicity and black race than for non-Hispanic white children. Higher rates of tube placement were noted among white children and those with private insurance. Lower rates of tube placement were seen in areas of lower SES regardless of racial demographics.