Ear problems in children

Babies and young children are prone to middle ear infections, called otitis media. Pus or fluid builds up in the space behind the eardrum, which causes pain. Sometimes the eardrum bursts, releasing the fluid and making the child feel better. Burst eardrums usually heal by themselves.

While most ear infections improve without any treatment, doctors prefer to use antibiotics to clear up severe cases. Four out of five children will get a middle ear infection at least once.

Symptoms of middle ear infections#

Some of the symptoms of a middle ear infection include:

• earache
• headache
• fever
• discharge from the ear
• mild deafness
• loss of appetite
• difficulty sleeping

Hearing and middle ear infections#

Sound does not travel well through fluid, so a child with an ear infection may have hearing difficulties. To them, normal speech can sound like a whisper. This usually lasts only as long as the infection and is not linked to any permanent hearing loss. During this time a child may seem inattentive or slow to respond, simply because they cannot hear very well.

However, constant middle ear infections might delay a young child’s speech development, so repeated infections should be checked by a doctor.

Why young children are affected#

Babies and young children are more likely to develop middle ear infections because they are still building up their immunity. Once a child reaches around the age of six, infections become less common because the tube connecting the nose to the ear, called the Eustachian tube, has matured.

Middle ear infections are commonly triggered by a cold and are caused by either bacteria or viruses. You can reduce the risk with some simple precautions:

• limiting time in day care, since exposure to other children increases the chance of catching a cold
• breastfeeding, which offers better immunity than bottle feeding
• avoiding smoking around children, as passive smoking is a risk factor
• avoiding propping up a bottle while the child is lying down, as milk may enter the Eustachian tube and increase the risk of infection

Treatment for ear infections#

Mild infections clear up by themselves, sometimes within a matter of hours. Over-the-counter painkillers can help the child feel more comfortable. In more severe cases, antibiotics might be needed, and your doctor may also recommend ear drops.

Glue ear#

Glue ear, when the ear fills up with thick fluid, can develop after a middle ear infection. If antibiotics cannot clear the fluid, an operation might be needed. A small hole is made in the eardrum and a tube called a grommet is inserted to help drain the fluid. In some cases, an injection of a strong antibiotic can be used. Glue ear becomes less common as the child grows older.

Wax problems#

Sometimes the ear can fill up with wax, which can impair a child’s hearing. Your doctor can use a syringe to gently fill the ear canal with warm water and float out the wax plug.

Key points#

• Middle ear infections (otitis media) are common in babies and young children, and four out of five children will have one at least once.
• Symptoms can include earache, headache, fever, ear discharge, mild deafness and loss of appetite.
• Hearing difficulties during an infection are usually temporary, but constant infections may delay speech development.
• Most infections settle on their own, with painkillers for comfort and antibiotics for severe cases.
• Glue ear can follow an infection and becomes less common as a child grows older.

Where to get help#