System and method for controlling against or treating of tympanostomy tube infections

A method for treating or preventing tympanostomy tube infections, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) inserting a tympanostomy tube treatment system into an ear of a subject, the treatment system comprising a moldable earplug configured to rest in the ear of the subject and an optical waveguide configured to deliver antimicrobial light to a tympanostomy tube;
• (b) delivering the antimicrobial light through the optical waveguide to a surface of the tympanostomy tube for a treatment duration.
• (c) removing the tympanostomy tube treatment system from the ear of the subject.

An ear tube configured to be placed within a tympanic membrane of an ear of a subject, the ear tube comprising a shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein a lumen extends through the shaft, and wherein the ear tube further comprises a first flange extending annularly from the shaft at the proximal end and a second flange extending annularly from the shaft at the distal end;

• and
• wherein the ear tube is fabricated from a primary material sufficiently transparent to antimicrobial light, and wherein a plurality of pockets is dispersed throughout the primary material, the plurality of pockets being filled with a secondary material configured to scatter the antimicrobial light toward a surface of the ear tube.