Inflammation, infectious or sterile, of the middle ear. In children this is often complicated by fluid buildup behind the eardrum. This raises the anxiety levels of conscious parents, debating the three-decade-old question, "Antibiotics?". They may fear the realistic (and unrealistic) effects of the drug, weighed against the anguish of a center-of-attention complaining child and the knee-jerk agitation they feel (particularly the mother...see OXYTOCIN). Then, when three months of antibiotic therapy doesn't work for some children (and they now show the brand-new signs of having become allergic..."No connexion with the antibiotics at all" sez the pediatrician), the parents have descended to another level of Parent Bardo..."Tubes in his ears?!"