As most parents know, ear infections are very common in young children. Research shows that the majority of children will have at least one ear infection by the time they are 1 year old (ASHA, 2020). The reason ear infections are so much more common in children than adults is the way their ears develop. We all have a tube that goes from the middle part of our ear to the back of our throat called the Eustachian tube- it helps the middle ear drain (ASHA, 2020). Children’s Eustachian tubes are smaller and less angled, which makes them more susceptible to getting built-up fluid and ear infections. Having fluid in the middle of the ear is not good, especially if it is consistently happening; it can make it harder for children to hear, and this can lead to speech and language delays.
It is not always easy to know when your child has an ear infection, and they may show you in various ways. Signs of an ear infection can include crying more than usual, having a fever, pulling/tugging at the ears, trouble sleeping, fluid draining from the ears, and not responding to sounds (ASHA, 2020). If your child is presenting with any of these signs, they should be seen by a doctor. Treatment can look different depending on the severity of your child’s ear infection and how frequently they get them. They may need antibiotics or surgery to put a tube in to drain out the fluid. Some may use the waiting method, where you wait for the fluid to go away on its own (ASHA, 2020).
When a child has fluid in their middle ear, they cannot hear sounds as well; this can lead to a conductive hearing loss. Imagine trying to hear something underwater- this is what sounds can be like if your child presents with this type of hearing loss (ASHA, 2020). Not all children will have problems with their hearing when they have an ear infection- some may have short-term hearing loss that goes away once their ear infection is gone. Recurrent ear infections can cause permanent hearing loss. Going to the doctor and getting the appropriate treatment is crucial!
It is not always easy to know when your child has an ear infection, and they may show you in various ways. Signs of an ear infection can include crying more than usual, having a fever, pulling/tugging at the ears, trouble sleeping, fluid draining from the ears, and not responding to sounds (ASHA, 2020). If your child is presenting with any of these signs, they should be seen by a doctor. Treatment can look different depending on the severity of your child’s ear infection and how frequently they get them. They may need antibiotics or surgery to put a tube in to drain out the fluid. Some may use the waiting method, where you wait for the fluid to go away on its own (ASHA, 2020).
When a child has fluid in their middle ear, they cannot hear sounds as well; this can lead to a conductive hearing loss. Imagine trying to hear something underwater- this is what sounds can be like if your child presents with this type of hearing loss (ASHA, 2020). Not all children will have problems with their hearing when they have an ear infection- some may have short-term hearing loss that goes away once their ear infection is gone. Recurrent ear infections can cause permanent hearing loss. Going to the doctor and getting the appropriate treatment is crucial!
