Ear problems are a common concern in children. Very young children can’t tell you what is wrong, so it’s important to know how to recognize an ear problem when it happens to your child. Dr. Brent Metts at North Texas Ear Nose & Throat in Rowlett, Rockwall, and Garland, TX, provides a wide range of ENT services for people of all ages.

What You Need To Know About Ear Problems in Children

One of the most common ear problems in children is an ear infection. Ear infections are caused by bacteria invading the ear canal. Ear infections can develop after a viral or bacterial infection. Children tug at their ears, transferring bacteria into the ear canal. Common signs and symptoms of an ear infection include:

• Tugging or pulling at the ears
• Chronic fussiness or crying
• Drainage coming from the ears
• Difficulty hearing

Our provider can prescribe oral antibiotics and ear drops to treat ear infections. For chronic ear infections, your pediatrician may recommend the placement of ear tubes to help drain the ears.

Hearing loss is another condition that a pediatrician can diagnose and treat. Your child may be experiencing hearing loss if your child doesn’t respond when their name is called. Your pediatrician can perform hearing tests to determine the degree of hearing loss. The pediatrician may refer your child to an audiologist for treatment, including hearing aids.

Another common ear problem is the entrapment of a foreign body in the ear. Children play with small toys, and it’s common for very young children to insert small objects into their ears. The pediatrician can check your child’s ears and remove a foreign object.

Want To Know More About Childhood Ear Conditions?

Talk with an expert to learn more about common ear problems in children and how to recognize them. Call Dr. Brent Metts at North Texas Ear Nose & Throat in Rowlett, Rockwall, and Garland, TX. You can reach him in the office by calling (972) 475-9151, so call today.