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More than 80% of children develop ear infections by age 3. At the offices of Dewi S. Sudjono-Santoso, MD, PA, in Cranbury and Trenton, New Jersey, the skilled pediatrics team diagnoses and treats ear infections in babies, children, and teenagers. Schedule an in-person or telemedicine appointment at Dewi S. Sudjono-Santoso, MD, PA, by calling the office or requesting one online today.
What are ear infections?
Ear infections develop when bacteria or viruses infect the space behind the eardrum. They may appear when the eustachian tube doesn’t function well, allowing fluid to accumulate in the middle ear space that becomes infected. Ear infections often cause pain and muffled hearing. They may worsen when left untreated.
What are the risk factors for ear infections?
Ear infections are the most common illnesses (other than colds) in children. Their risk factors include:
- Family history of ear infections
- Being an infant or young child
- Having a cold
- Breathing in poor-quality air
- Having a long-term illness or disease (asthma, cystic fibrosis, etc.)
Ear infections most often appear in kids ages 6 months to 2 years old, but they’re common until age 8. However, older children, teenagers, and adults also develop ear infections.
What are the symptoms of ear infections?
Ear infections can cause:
- Reduced appetite
- Ear pain
- Trouble hearing in the infected ear
- Difficulty sleeping
- Pressure or fullness in the ear
- Brown, white, or yellow ear drainage
- Fever
Babies and young children might tug or rub on infected ears, start snoring, fuss or cry more than usual, or even refuse to eat because of an ear infection.
Complications that may occur because of an ear infection include hearing changes, temporary hearing loss, delayed speech and development in children, spreading of the infection, or a torn eardrum, which occurs in about 5-10% of kids with ear infections.
How are ear infections diagnosed?
The Dewi S. Sudjono-Santoso, MD, PA, team diagnoses ear infections by discussing your child’s medical history and symptoms and examining their eardrum using a small lighted instrument. They may recommend a hearing test or take a sample of fluid from your child’s affected ear to test it for bacteria and viruses.
How are ear infections treated?
Your child’s personalized ear infection treatment plan depends on the severity of the infection and whether or not complications are present.
Ear infections often heal without treatment, but sometimes, antibiotics or other treatments are necessary. Pain-reducing medications are also available, and if needed, your child’s provider may suggest ear tubes for long-term management.
Schedule an ear infection evaluation at one of the Dewi S. Sudjono-Santoso, MD, PA, offices by calling or requesting an appointment online today.