Infections and Your Child's Hearing

Ear infections are a highly common part of the childhood experience; in the US, about 75% of children contract at least one before the age of three. Some children are especially prone to this problem due to abnormalities of the Eustachian tube (which connects the inner ear to the throat) or the fact that their immune systems are less developed than average.

These conditions can cause pain, a blocked or "full" feeling in the air, and reduced hearing ability. While all of these symptoms are usually temporary and leave when the illness is treated, severe or multiple infections can have long-term effects.

Types of Ear Infections

While people of any age can suffer from bacteria or viral infections in any part of the ear, these conditions most frequently affect young children. Some of the more common kinds include:

• Otitis media with effusion - If you have ever heard the term "fluid in the ear," the speaker was actually referred to OME. This condition occurs when fluid begins to collect in the middle ear, the area between the external ear and the cochlea where the small bones (ossicles) that allow hearing are located. OME can be the result of a viral respiratory infection, a bacterial infection, or it may have no particular cause. It generally does not cause any pain or other symptoms. If the fluid builds up for too long, it may become infected and cause permanent damage to the ear drum (the membrane between the ossicles and the cochlea).
• Acute otitis media - This is a bacterial infection of the middle ear, which may cause swelling and a buildup of pus that could block hearing. It is often accompanied by pain and sometimes a low-level fever. It can generally be treated with antibiotics. In rare, severe cases, permanent damage to the middle ear may result.
• Viral respiratory infections - In some cases, head colds, the flu, or other respiratory diseases can reach the inner ear through the Eustachian tube. Without prompt treatment, they can affect the cochlea, a small fluid-filled organ that plays a vital role in hearing. The resulting damage may fade over time or may be permanent.

While other kinds of illnesses can affect the ears, these basic categories include most of the more common example.

Protecting Your Child

Remember, the odds of your child losing his or her hearing due to illness are rare; there is no need to panic or become paranoid. However, if your child is showing symptoms of an ear infection - complaining of pain in the ears, frequently rubbing or pulling on the ears, failure to acknowledge speech or other sounds - take him or her to a qualified pediatrician as soon as you can.

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