Common Ear Problems in Babies and Young Children

Otitis media is an ear problem that many babies and young children suffer from. It causes the buildup of fluids or pus in the ear canal. As a result the baby or young child suffers from pain and a mild form of deafness. In serious cases the eardrum may burst and the fluids are released. Usually there is no permanent damage as the eardrum gets healed up by itself. Some ear infections heal by themselves but doctors usually prescribe antibiotics in most cases of ear infection.

Middle ear infections in babies as well as young children are usually caused by viruses or bacteria following a cold attack. Children below six years are more susceptible to middle ear infections due to the fact that they have not developed enough immunity. After six years the Eustachian tube, which is the tube that connects the ear to the nose, becomes mature. The symptoms observed in cases of middle ear infection include fever, earache, headache, mild deafness, hearing loss and loss of appetite.

Another ear trouble that usually develops after a case middle ear infection is the condition called "glue ear". At first antibiotics are administered to clear the problem. In such cases the doctor may order an operation. In this operation the doctor will make a small hole and then insert a tube known as a grommet so that the pus can be drained out easily. As the child becomes older the glue ear condition becomes a less common occurrence.

The filling up of wax in the ear can also create problems for the child causing impairment of hearing. Doctors usually flush out the wax from the ear with warm water with the help of a syringe. The best person to deal with ear problems in children is a doctor. However there are a few precautions that parents can take to prevent the occurrence of ear problems in children.

In children who have frequent ear infections you can limit daycare so that the chances of the baby's catching a cold are reduced. Breastfeeding instead of bottle feeding can improve the baby's immunity. Do not smoke in the presence of the child as it may increase the risk of infections. Otherwise also passive smoking is harmful to the infant's health. Most ear problems in children are easily curable and you should consult a doctor if the problem does not clear up quickly