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What You Should Know About Ear Infections and Ear Tubes
Author: Stef Daniel
Otitis media! If you have heard of this word before, your baby is probably one of many seen every year, by physicians, for an ear infection. In fact, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, ear infections account for almost half of the pediatric visits taking place during the first 24 months of life. During these early months of a child’s life, the Eustachian tubes are flat rather than curved. This means that fluid can build up in the inner ear, becoming infected rather quickly. Infants and toddlers in daycare become sick more often and run an increased risk of ear infections. Many ear infections are caused as a residual effect of the common cold. Other ear infections are caused by specific bacteria that attack the ears.
Ear infections are most common between the ages of 2 months and 2 years. Frequent ear infections can cause various risks. Long term, they can cause hearing loss and inner ear damage. This can lead to a speech and learning impairment if the ear infections are not caught early on. Often parents don’t know that their baby is even suffering. Most young babies with ear infections will run fevers; however, older babies and toddlers often do not. The symptoms can be telling, such as your baby pulling on her ear and feeling uncomfortable when lying. Some babies show NO signs of an ear infection.
Ear tubes are usually required for children with frequent ear infections, or ear infections that seemingly do not get better. If your pediatrician has talked to you about putting tubes in your child’s ears – you aren’t alone. This surgery, called Tympanastomy, is performed around two million times yearly. After your baby is anesthetized in a hospital, small tubes will be placed in the eardrums, helping keep the area clear of blockage. The tubes should dissolve over. In most cases, a Tympanastomy solves the problem.
If your baby has an ear infection, he or she may have the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Pulling on the ear lobes, cheeks, or neck
- Fussiness or irritability
- Fluid leaking from the ears
- Problems sleeping, or excessive crying when the laying flat
- Trouble hearing
- Changes in appetite, or frequent spitting up
A pediatrician will diagnose an ear infection and usually prescribe an antibiotic. While it may be frightening if your pediatrician mentions surgery, realize that this can help to avoid long-term damage and your baby will feel better.
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