Ear Infections in Children
An ear infection, also known as otitis media (OM), is an inflammation of the middle part of the ear caused when fluid builds up behind the eardrum. It can be either bacterial or viral and is actually one of the most common reasons parents bring their child to the doctor.
How to tell if my child has an ear infection?
For children who are older, they may tell you that their ear hurts. However, most ear infections happen before children are old enough to talk. In those children you might notice the following:
Pulling or tugging at the ears
Unusual fuzziness or crying
Fever (not all ear infections cause a fever)
Ear drainage
Trouble sleeping
When should I seek treatment for an ear infection?
If you think your child might have an ear infection, first seek medical care with your pediatrician. For ear infections that are bacterial, they may offer an antibiotic. It’s important to remember that an antibiotic is not always needed for ear infections. If your child has multiple ear infections in the same season, you might want to consider tubes. Schedule an appointment with our pediatric ENT providers to discuss ear tubes for your child.
What treatment options are available for ear infections?
Our physicians can provide both non-surgical and surgical treatment options for ear infections. Schedule an appointment with our pediatric ENT providers to discuss which treatment option is right for you.
When should children get tubes?
The average age for ear tubes is one to three years old. However, babies as young as six months old can have ear tubes if necessary. In most cases, ear tubes may be recommended for your child if he/she has had three or more ear infections within six months or if they are suffering hearing loss from the persistent build-up of fluid.
What to expect before and after ear tube surgery:
Our pediatric ENT providers perform hundreds of ear tube procedures every year. We are experts at this procedure, and by utilizing our Little Rock ENT Outpatient Surgery Center, we are able to offer an extremely convenient option for having the procedure done. Our Surgery Center is reserved solely for our patients and providers which allows us to provide a unique patient experience. When you visit our facility, you’ll be able to drop your patient off under a covered awning that allows you to enter directly to your waiting area. Pre-op is right next door, and your visitor will be allowed to stay with you until you enter the operating room. Our post-op area is just steps away where you’ll be able to meet your patient following their procedure. Watch the video below to get an inside look at our facility.