This post is sponsored by Children’s Mercy
Ear infections are one of the most common medical issues among young children and can be frustrating for both parents and kids. As a parent, you want to do everything possible to keep your child healthy. Here’s what to know about ear infections and when to talk to your doctor about getting ear tubes.
What are ear infections?
Ear infections are caused by a buildup of fluid or pus behind the eardrum. They are most common in young children and infants because their Eustachian tubes – the tubes connecting the middle ear to the throat – aren’t fully developed. These tubes are narrow, horizontal and can easily be clogged with mucus. We most commonly see lots of ear infections in 2- to 4-year-old children, but ear infections can happen at any age.
Ear infections can be caused by many things like:
- Bacteria
- Viruses like getting a cold
- Smoke exposure
- Allergies
- Germs from populated places like a daycare
- Facial abnormalities
- Family history of ear infections
Signs of an ear infection
When an ear infection happens in a young child, it’s hard to know what’s going on. Some children are too young to talk or say what’s bothering them, but you can watch for the signs of an ear infection that might include:
- Irritability or crying
- Ear pain
- Low grade fever – between 99.5- and 100.3-degrees Fahrenheit
- Eating less
- Tugging at ears
- Headache
- Hearing/listening less than normal
- Throwing up or diarrhea
- Trouble sleeping
If you notice any of these symptoms, it can be time to visit your child’s primary care provider for help.
How to prevent ear infections
It’s not always possible to prevent ear infections. Things like avoiding smoke exposure is important and washing your hands can help stop the spread of germs that cause ear infections.
If your child is having chronic ear infections or has fluid in the eardrum that doesn’t go away, you may be a candidate for ear tubes. Chronic ear infections could cause hearing loss and speech delays.
Chronic ear infections include:
- 4 ear infections in 12 months, or
- 3 ear infections in 6 months
What are ear tubes?
Ear tubes are plastic or metal cylinders that are put into the eardrum by surgery. Ear tubes help relieve pressure in the ear and help with drainage, which helps lessen the chances for an ear infection. Ear tubes are temporary and usually fall out on their own after about 6 months.
Ear tubes next to a dime and illustration of an ear tube in an eardrum.
While it is still to get an ear infection after having ear tubes, the benefit is you can treat the ear infection with ear drops instead of with antibiotics that could cause diarrhea and diaper rash.
What is ear tube surgery like?
Ear tube surgery is quick with the procedure taking around 10 minutes. The child is put under anesthesia – put asleep with medication so they don’t feel anything – then a surgeon makes a small cut in the eardrum, places the ear tube in the eardrum and does it again on the other ear. The child can most likely go home the very same day.
Most kids see an improvement in their hearing, ear drainage and have less ear infections after the surgery. Life after ear tubes is the same. You can still bathe and swim like normal after ear tubes, but swimming in deep water deeper than 2 feet is not recommended.
If your child is suffering from ear pain, ear tubes may be a big help. Talk with your child’s pediatrician to see if ear tubes are right for your child.
Written by Laura L. Neff, MD – Children’s Mercy Kansas City Pediatric ENT Surgeon.
