Chronic Ear Infections Are Ear-ritating

Tired of all of those ear infections?

As a parent and child, you're not alone.

With cold and flu season blowing through the crisp, autumn air, the exposure to germs in daycare or school while your child's immune system develops causes many sniffles and sneezes. According to the National Institutes of Health, ear infections are the most common reason parents bring their child to a doctor – and 5 out of 6 children will have at least one ear infection by their third birthday. It's "ear-ritatingly" common! But, are you finding your child visiting the pediatrician a little too often for chronic ear infections?

What Causes Ear Infections?

When bacteria or a virus enters the open area behind the eardrum, an infection of the middle ear, called acute otitis media, can happen.

Several things can cause eustachian tubes to get blocked, making it easier for a middle ear infection to develop:

• Colds
• Sinus infections
• Allergies
• Infected or overgrown adenoids (lymph tissue in the throat)
• Tobacco smoke
• Altitude or climate changes
• Living in a cold climate
• Recent middle ear infection
• Family history of ear infections
• A birth defect that causes eustachian tube dysfunction
• Any recent illness that lowers resistance to infection

In addition, middle ear infections in children may also be caused by:

• Teething and pacifier use
• Not being breastfed
• Exposure at daycare
• Milk from a sippy cup getting into the ear

Why Are Ear Infections Common In Children?

JAMA Pediatrics notes that about half of all children will have at least one middle ear infection by their second birthday.

Most ear infections in children happen because of their developing immune systems and unique anatomy of the inner ear. The Eustachian tubes are smaller and more level in children than adults, sometimes causing poor drainage. If the Eustachian tubes become blocked with mucus during a cold or sinus infection, fluid may not drain properly, making it easier for bacteria and viruses to get trapped and thrive.

Can You Prevent An Ear Infection?

Bacteria often are the cause of middle ear infections, and the best way to prevent ear infections is to reduce the spread of bacteria and other risk factors.

There are ways to take action and lessen your risk of recurring ear infections:

• Wash hands frequently.
• Get a flu shot.
• Avoid exposing your child to secondhand smoke.
• Never put your child down for a nap with a bottle.

However, despite taking some precaution, some chronic ear infections may be unavoidable. Babies and toddlers are generally not able to vocalize ear pain, resulting in prolonged exposure to infection. Some ear infections do not produce a fever.

How Do Ear Infections Hurt A Child's Hearing?

Any lengthy exposure to infection of the ear could perforate the eardrum, or cause mild to moderate hearing loss. Ear infections hamper hearing because fluid builds up behind the eardrum. Fluid buildup can affect hearing even if an ear infection isn't painful.

What Are Middle Ear Infection Symptoms?

So, what's the best bet to ensure your infant or young child doesn't struggle? Look for these middle ear infection symptoms:

• Ear pain
• Difficulty hearing
• Drainage from the ear
• Fussiness
• Difficulty responding to sounds
• Fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• Poor appetite
• Headaches
• Tugging on their ear
• Poor balance
• Excessive crying
• Difficulty sleeping
• Extra ear pain when lying down
• Speech delay (due to hearing loss)

Checking in with an ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor) and audiologist for an ear and hearing evaluation can help preserve hearing in your child and lessen the number of visits you take the pediatrician. With many children benefiting from either medical management (antibiotics or routine ear care) or occasionally, surgical placement of ear tubes to ensure better drainage, parents can start to worry a little less when those pesky sniffles and sneezes come around again.

How Are Ear Infections Treated?

Treating a middle ear infection often starts with a watch-and-wait strategy to see if it's mild enough to clear up on its own. At home, hot and cold compresses applied to the outer ear or over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used.

If ear infections symptoms persist beyond 48 hours, or your child's temperature exceeds 102.2 F, contact your doctor for additional treatment options. Your doctor may recommend:

• Oral antibiotics
• A drain tube may be placed into the ear (for chronic ear infections)

What Happens If Chronic Ear Infections Aren't Treated?

Untreated middle ear infections can have serious consequences, including eardrum tears, more permanent hearing loss, speech or developmental delays in young children, and the risk of the infection spreading to other parts of the body. Temporary hearing loss caused by recurring ear infections can lead to delays in language development and sound processing years later, researchers reported in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology.