Ear infections are common in children, but that doesn’t make them any less painful. They occur when fluids build up behind the eardrum and cause inflammation in the middle ear, which can cause discomfort.
Our providers at Puget Sound Ear Nose and Throat will partner with you to make sure your child finds relief from ear pain. We’ll work to find the treatment plan that will work best for their needs so that discomfort doesn’t detract from all that childhood has to offer.
What Causes Ear Infections?
Children’s eustachian tubes are smaller and more prone to swelling. This can cause fluid to be trapped in the middle ear, which presses against the eardrum and can cause pain and harbor germs that result in infection.
Does My Child Have an Ear Infection?
Symptoms of ear infections include:
- Pulling at an ear
- Not responding to sounds
- Crying more than usual
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of balance
- Trouble sleeping
How Do ENTs Diagnose and Treat Pediatric Ear Infections?
Along with using an otoscope to visualize the inside of your child’s ear, our provider may:
- Examine the ear with a pneumatic otoscope, which checks for fluid behind the eardrum.
- Measure how flexible the eardrum is through a process called tympanometry.
Your child’s ENT doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain medication or antibiotics. If an infection cannot be definitively diagnosed, they may wait to prescribe antibiotics since some ear pain may have other causes.
What Can Be Done When a Child Has Chronic Ear Infections?
Our otolaryngologist may recommend ear tubes for your child if they experience reoccurring ear infections. Also known as myringotomy or tympanostomy tubes, ear tubes allow air into the middle ear and prevent fluid from building up behind the eardrums.
The surgery for ear tubes, known as a myringotomy, usually takes between 10 and 15 minutes. Our otolaryngologist will explain the procedure beforehand and make sure you and your child feel comfortable with it.
- Your child will be put under general anesthesia.
- Their doctor will create a small hole in each eardrum.
- Fluid is removed from the middle ear with suction.
- Tubes are inserted into the middle ear.
Whether your child’s doctor recommends ear tubes or medication, our team at Puget Sound Ear Nose and Throat is dedicated to ensuring they receive the most appropriate care for their needs. Treatment is just a phone call away.
Call Puget Sound ENT for more information or to schedule an appointment.