Ear, Nose And Throat

Many factors play a role in whether your child will get an ear infection. Some of them involve the structure of the ear itself, particularly the eustachian tubes. Others involve exposure to germs, such as bacteria and viruses. Some are related to inflammation of the nasal passage as a result of allergies. Other health problems may make a child

In deciding how to treat your child’s middle ear infection, the doctor will take into account: The type of symptoms your child is having How severe they are How long they have lasted The doctor will look inside your child’s ear for signs of redness or bulging of the eardrum, gently using an instrument (called

Chronic otitis media with effusion (also called secretory otitis media and glue ear, or chronic OME) is a persistent inflammation and accumulation of sticky fluid, or effusion, in the middle ear. Chronic OME may develop within weeks of an acute episode of middle ear infection, but often the cause is unknown. (See What Causes Chronic

In some children, repeated episodes of middle ear infections or chronic otitis media with effusion may cause hearing problems. Hearing problems can delay speech and language development and, consequently, may make it difficult to learn to read. Such delays in normal development can, in turn, cause problems with learning in general and with behavior. The risk of

Here are some frequently asked questions related to middle ear infection. Q: Why is my child prone to middle ear infections? A: The middle ear is filled with air that travels through the eustachian tube to the back of the nose. The eustachian tube equalizes middle ear pressure and helps drain fluids in the ear. In babies and

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to middle ear infection. Otitis media is the medical term for inflammation or infection of the middle ear. In babies and toddlers, the eustachian tube is typically shorter, narrower, and less rigid than in an adult, which means that bacteria can more easily travel from the back of the

Here are definitions of medical terms related to middle ear infection. Acute otitis media: Infection of the middle ear that comes on quickly Adenoidectomy: Surgical removal of the adenoids (tissue in the back of the throat) Adenoids: Glandular swellings of lymphoid tissue at the back of the nose that help protect against infection Allergen: Any substance that causes an

Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on middle ear infection. American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery  Phone: (703) 836-4444 http://www.entnet.org/ Association for Research in Otolaryngology  Phone: (856) 423-0041 Books The Parent’s Complete Guide to Ear Infections Alan R. Greene Healing Childhood Ear Infections: Prevention, Home Care, and Alternative Treatment

A number of other problems can cause hearing loss, particularly sensorineural hearing loss. Many of them are very common conditions that are not always associated with hearing loss. They include: Common Childhood Infections Mumps is the most common cause of one-sided total deafness in the United States. Frequently, the child and family are not aware of

The first step in treating hearing loss is an accurate diagnosis – finding out exactly what’s causing the hearing loss. When a specific cause is found, treatment options can include: Treating the underlying disease, such as hypothyroidism, if a disease is found. A hearing aid to provide amplification of sound (for most people with sensorineural hearing

Here are some frequently asked questions related to hearing loss. Q: My daughter listens to loud music with headphones. Can this damage her hearing? A: Loud music, especially listened to with earphones, can damage hearing. In some cases, the playing of musical instruments also can damage hearing. This has been reported not only with loud, electrical