Have frequent otitis media clarified

02/10/2015

About 90 percent of all children fall ill until the age of three at least once in a middle ear infection. Such inflammations can occur up to four times a year without causing any consequential damage. With recurring middle ear infections, however, there is a risk that fluid accumulates in the middle ear or adhesions and defects of the eardrum and ossicles occur. This leads to childish hearing disorders, which also disturb the language development. Often, enlarged tonsils favor such recurring otitis media, according to the HNOnet-NRW, an association of established ENT doctors.

After removal or reduction of enlarged tonsils - most common in children between the ages of 3 and 6 years - many children develop middle ear infections. „The so-called polyps block the trumpet-shaped connection between the pharynx and the middle ear“, noticed Dr. Uso Walter, CEO of HNOnet-NRW. As a result, middle ears are no longer adequately ventilated and it forms inflammatory secretion behind the eardrum, a so-called Paukenerguss. „Temporary effusions are not a problem, but if they persist for several months, speech development may be delayed due to chronic hearing impairment“, explains Dr. Walter. Since certain time windows are optimal for learning age-appropriate linguistic competence, the academic success of primary school children may also be endangered. If children develop middle ear infections, it is important that ear, nose and throat doctors get to the root of the problem to prevent possible long-term consequences.

ENT specialists examine the diseased ear using a microscope. You get a good look into the ear canal and the eardrum. Redness indicates bacterial infections, bulges on accumulations of fluid or even pus in the middle ear. Using tympanometry, middle ear pressure can be measured objectively even in very young children. ENT specialists initially prescribe decongestant nasal sprays to treat middle ear access swelling and restore ventilation and pressure balance. If no improvement occurs after a few days, or if there is already a marked suppurative inflammation at the initial examination, antibiotics may also be necessary in individual cases. Tympanic tubes are only used for chronic, tenacious fluid accumulation in the middle ear. In doing so, doctors place a tube in the eardrum, which helps drain fluids. After a few months, the body rejects it by itself. (Pm)