“What kind of anesthesia is used for ear tubes?”

general anesthesia is used with either mask ventilation or with a laryngeal mask airway. Propofol will be the principle component of the anesthetic.

Usually mask or IV sedation

The type of anesthesia can vary, but anesthesia is usually given via mask, "twilight" sedation, and not general anesthesia.

This depends.
In children, they are under general anesthesia - via mask. They usually have some oral sedation ahead of time.

In adults, I usually put tubes in cooperative adults in the office without the use of any anesthesia - except topically on the eardrum itself.

That being said, some adults can't or won't tolerate tubes in the office and they are generally managed similarly to children with the addition of IV sedation.

If a patient is difficult to sedate or there are concerns for any airway difficulties, the patient may be placed under general anesthesia with the insertion of some form of tube in the mouth/throat to assist with ventilation and protect the airway.

Ear vent tubes are usually placed to ventilate the middle ear space in children that have fluid behind their eardrums this defect greatly decreases their hearing and causes learning disabilities and poor language skills the tubes are placed using a microscope and the patient must be absolutely still and immobile thus a general anesthetic is required.

Usually general anesthesia