Does Your Child Have Chronic Ear Infections? Here's What to Do Next

Ear infections are one of the most common ailments seen in children visiting the emergency department every year. Middle ear infections send 806,200 kids to the ED annually, with 1,800 of them admitted for complications such as a perforated eardrum.

At SLENT, with locations in Mandeville, Slidell, and Hammond, Louisiana, our otolaryngology specialists routinely see children with chronic ear infections. Here’s what they want you to know about chronic ear infections and what to do if your child struggles repeatedly from this ailment.

Middle ear infections

The most common type of ear infections in babies and toddlers is the middle ear infection, also known as otitis media. Eustachian tubes (channels that connect the middle ear and throat) are shorter and narrower in children than in adults, making it easier for fluid to get trapped and provide a breeding ground for bacteria.

Symptoms of ear infection include:

Crying/irritability
Pulling at the ear(s)
Ear redness
Difficulty sleeping
Fever
Loss of balance
Fluid draining from one or both ears

Some ear infections go away on their own. Others must be treated with antibiotics to get rid of harmful bacteria. Your doctor will discuss your child’s options with you.

Chronic ear infections

If your child has five or six infections or more every year, their condition is considered chronic. Rather than apply repeated rounds of antibiotics, your doctor may recommend small synthetic ear tubes that fit inside the eustachian tubes, allowing fluid and air to pass more freely.

These tubes, also called tympanostomy tubes, only take about 15 minutes to place. They usually fall out on their own once the eustachian tubes grow longer and wider, typically in six months or a year (although some tubes are meant to stay in longer, and must be removed in a later procedure).

Most children outgrow chronic ear infections, whether they’re severe enough to require ear tube insertion or not. Once a child reaches the age of five, their risk of ear infections drops significantly. However, older children, teens, and adults can get ear infections, too, so don’t hesitate to see a doctor over persistent ear pain.

Tips to prevent chronic ear infections in children

You can help prevent your child from getting recurring ear infections by:

Ensuring they’re vaccinated on schedule
Keeping them away from cigarette smoke
Not letting them go to bed with a bottle
Limiting their contact with sick people

Are you worried about your young child’s chronic and lasting ear infections? Schedule a consultation with the team at SLENT by calling the location closest to you or visiting our contact page for more options.