One of the most common childhood illnesses, ear infections, may lead to treatment by an otolaryngologist, or ear, nose and throat specialist( ENT).

While many ear infections clear up on their own, or are successfully vanquished with antibiotics, some children experience repeated ear infections. In babies and toddlers who can’ t explain their symptoms, ear infection can be hard for parents to identify, initially.

Symptoms of ear infections in infants and toddlers can include:

• Crying and irritability

• Tugging or pulling the ear

• Difficulty sleeping

• Fever, especially in younger children

• Fluid draining from the ear

• Difficulty hearing or responding to sounds

• Loss of balance Ear infections often follow colds or respiratory infections. Because the middle ear and throat are connected through a passageway called the eustachian tube, bacteria can pass into the middle ear, the area behind the eardrum. Fluid can build up and cause pressure on the eardrum, which is the source of pain. As children grow older, their eustachian tubes grow longer and drain more effectively, lessening the instances of infection.

Between the ages of 2 months to 6 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends decision making shared by parents and doctors about“ waiting and watching” to see if the infection clears up on its own, while treating pain symptoms with over-the-counter, pediatric pain medicines. The waiting approach, providing that the child can be made more comfortable, is to avoid the creation of antibiotic resistance. If pain is severe or infection is advanced, antibiotics are usually given immediately.

RECURRENT EAR INFECTIONS MAY BE TREATED WITH TUBES

In some cases, young children have recurring ear infections, even after treatment relieves an incidence of infection. Those who have three or more infections in six months or four or more infections in a year might be helped by the placement of ear tubes.

Pediatricians may refer the child to an ENT for microsurgery that can prevent ear infections or make them far more easily treatable. The ENT surgeon makes a tiny incision to insert very small tubes( also called grommets) through each eardrum. The tubes drain any fluid that may build up behind the eardrum in the middle ear, avoiding or relieving pressure that causes pain. During the surgery, any fluid present in the middle ear will be drained or suctioned out.

The medical term for them is tympanostomy tubes, made of medical-grade plastics, silicon or metal. Infants and children from age 1-3 most commonly receive ear tubes. In most cases, the tubes will harmlessly fall out on their own within 6-14 months or so. In some cases, tubes may be placed again. Another variation of ear tubes are secured and will be removed later by the surgeon.

The tubes will augment the natural function of the child’ s own eustachian tubes, which may be immature or poorly draining. Fluid will flow out the ear canal and fresh air will be admitted into the middle ear, functions the eustachian tube may be performing poorly. If infection develops, the tiny opening allows antibiotic ear drops to get directly to the middle ear.

The placement of ear tubes is usually an outpatient procedure. The placement itself may take no more than 15 minutes to perform.

A light general anesthesia will be given and your child will go afterwards to a recovery room to be monitored closely. You will be with your child as they awaken. While they may be cranky, may vomit or remain upset for a while on the day of surgery, most will resume normal play and activities the next day.

While many EAR INFECTIONS clear up on their own, or are successfully vanquished with ANTIBIOTICS, some children experience repeated ear infections.

IN BABIES AND TODDLERS WHO CAN’ T EXPLAIN THEIR SYMPTOMS, ear infection can be hard for parents to IDENTIFY, INITIALLY.

OURHEALTHNWA. COM 10 AUGUST 2025 | EAR, NOSE & THROAT HEALTH ISSUE