Ear infections are one of the most common childhood illnesses. For some children, they happen once or twice and clear up. For others, infections keep coming back or fluid remains behind the eardrum long after the infection is gone.
When ear infections become frequent, affect hearing, or interfere with speech, sleep, or everyday comfort, an ENT evaluation can help determine whether additional treatment is needed.
Children are more prone to middle ear infections because their eustachian tubes are shorter, narrower, and more horizontal than those of adults.
These tubes help drain fluid from the middle ear. When they become swollen or blocked during a cold, respiratory infection, or inflammation, fluid can collect behind the eardrum and create an environment where an infection can develop.
Older children may be able to tell you that their ear hurts, but babies and toddlers may show different signs.
Possible symptoms include:
Ear pulling alone does not always mean a child has an ear infection, so an examination is usually needed to confirm the cause.
Some children develop ear infections repeatedly over a relatively short period of time.
Doctors consider the number of infections, how close together they occur, whether fluid remains behind the eardrum, the child's hearing, and how the infections are affecting development when deciding whether additional treatment should be considered.
Repeated infections are one reason a pediatrician may recommend evaluation by an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
Fluid can remain in the middle ear after an infection has cleared. This is sometimes called middle ear effusion.
The fluid may not cause pain or fever, but it can temporarily reduce hearing.
Signs that fluid may be affecting hearing include:
Temporary hearing changes can occur when fluid builds up behind the eardrum.
For most children, hearing returns as the fluid clears. However, persistent fluid or repeated infections can make it more difficult for a child to hear speech clearly.
Because hearing plays an important role in speech and language development, children with ongoing hearing concerns may need hearing testing as part of their evaluation.
Learn more about ear and hearing problems in children.
An ENT evaluation may be appropriate when:
The decision to recommend additional treatment depends on the child's individual history, examination, hearing, and frequency of infections.
Ear tubes are tiny hollow tubes placed through the eardrum to ventilate the middle ear.
They allow air to enter the middle ear and help prevent fluid from becoming trapped behind the eardrum.
Ear tubes are also called tympanostomy tubes or ventilation tubes.
Ear tubes may be considered for children with recurring ear infections, persistent middle ear fluid, or hearing problems related to fluid buildup.
Current pediatric guidance commonly considers factors such as repeated infections within several months, fluid that remains for months, hearing loss, and concerns involving speech or learning. The decision is individualized and not every child with ear infections needs tubes.
Your child may need further evaluation if:
An ENT can examine the ears and determine whether hearing testing or another treatment is appropriate before recommending tubes.
Ear tubes are placed during a short procedure called a myringotomy with tympanostomy tube placement.
A small opening is made in the eardrum, fluid can be removed from the middle ear, and a tiny tube is placed in the opening to provide ventilation.
In children, the procedure is typically performed under anesthesia so the child can remain still and comfortable.
Most ear tubes remain in place temporarily and fall out on their own as the eardrum heals and grows.
The exact length of time depends on the type of tube and the child's ears. Follow up appointments allow the ENT to monitor the tubes and make sure the ears remain healthy.
Yes. Ear tubes can reduce the frequency of infections and help fluid drain, but they do not guarantee that a child will never have another ear infection.
When an infection occurs while a tube is functioning, drainage from the ear may be one of the first noticeable symptoms.
If hearing is reduced because fluid is trapped behind the eardrum, draining the fluid and ventilating the middle ear may improve hearing.
Children with hearing concerns may have a hearing test before or after tube placement depending on their situation.
No.
Many childhood ear infections improve without surgery, and some children simply outgrow frequent infections as their ears and eustachian tubes develop.
Ear tubes are generally considered when infections or fluid become persistent enough to affect hearing, development, comfort, or quality of life.
If your child keeps getting ear infections, has persistent fluid behind the ears, or seems to be having trouble hearing, Glatz Group can evaluate the ears and determine whether additional treatment may be needed.
We provide ENT care for children in McAllen and families throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
You can also learn more about our ear care services.
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