Ear, nose and throat disorders represent a large proportion of health care problems in children. These problems are usually treated at first by pediatricians or family practitioners. However, when the problem fails to resolve, becomes more severe, or is a complex problem with a recognized need for a specialist’s attention, the child is referred to an Otolaryngologist, a physician who has specialized training in the medical and surgical management of ear, nose, and throat problems. All the physicians at Piedmont Ear, Nose and Throat Associates treat pediatric patients.

Children experience the same ear, nose and throat problems as adults do. Highlighted in this web page are descriptions of the most common pediatric ear, nose, and throat disorders and medical or surgical management of these problems.

Otitis Media (Ear Infection)

The most common pediatric disease seen by an otolaryngologist is persistent or recurrent ear infections (otitis media). Otitis media can be serious because the infection in the ear can spread to nearby structures in the head. It also is the most common cause of hearing loss in children. Hearing loss, especially in children, may impair learning capacity and even delay speech development. If treated promptly and effectively, a child’s hearing can almost always be restored to normal. In addition, the pain associated with an ear infection can be severe causing extreme discomfort for the child.

Otitis media is caused by the accumulation of infected fluid (pus and mucus) behind the ear drum. The build up of pressurized pus in the middle ear causes earache, swelling, and redness. Sometimes the eardrum ruptures, and pus drains out of the ear. More commonly, the pus and mucus remain in the middle ear because it cannot drain due to a blockage of the eustachian tube (a tube that leads from the middle ear to the back of the nose). Even after the infection has cleared, fluid remains in the middle ear for long periods of time (serous otitis media). This condition makes the child subject to frequent recurrences of infection. Since the eardrum cannot vibrate properly, the child may experience hearing problems.

Otitis media and serous otitis media normally respond well to antibiotics and/or antihistamines/decongestants. In some cases, however, further treatment may be recommended by your physician. This treatment may be the surgical placement of a ventilation tube in the eardrum. This “tube” allows fluid to drain from behind the eardrum preventing fluid accumulation and thus improving hearing. Tubes generally stay in the eardrum from 8 to 18 months and “fall out” on their own. The tube cannot be felt in the eardrum. The child will probably notice a remarkable improvement in hearing and decrease in the frequency of ear infections.