When to See an ENT for Your Child’s Ear Infections
Ear infections are incredibly common in children, especially those under the age of five, here are some scenarios where it would make sense to make an appointment.
Signs Your Child Might Need an ENT
Frequent Infections
If your child experiences 3 or more infections in 6 months—or 4 or more in a year—this is considered recurrent.
Persistent Fluid
Fluid that lingers in the middle ear after infection (otitis media with effusion) can affect hearing and development.
Hearing Issues
If your child isn’t responding to sounds, has trouble with speech development, or frequently asks “what?”, fluid in the ear could be the cause.
Delayed Speech or Learning
Hearing is crucial for language development. Chronic ear problems can delay speech or contribute to learning challenges.
Not Responding to Antibiotics
If the infection doesn’t clear up with multiple courses of antibiotics, an ENT might recommend alternative treatments, like ear tube placement.
While most ear infections are routine, chronic or complicated cases deserve a deeper look. An ENT specialist can help prevent long-term hearing and developmental issues.
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Your Health, Our Priority
Contact us today to schedule a visit with our ENT, allergy or audiology specialists.