Nearly every child will have at least one ear infection. They are the second most common illness in children.
Your child’s ears can get infected when fluid collects or germs grow in the space behind the eardrum, called the middle ear. This can also cause problems with hearing.
If you think your child has an ear infection, take them to a doctor. An untreated ear infection can cause serious medical or hearing problems.
Your child can get another ear infection even after treatment.
Symptoms
Symptoms of an ear infection may include:
- pain
- fever
- acting upset or fussy
- tugging on the ears
- fluid or blood coming from the ears
Some children may have no symptoms at all.
Causes
If the tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat (the Eustachian tube) doesn’t open and close properly, fluid can build up behind the eardrum. Germs can get into this fluid and cause an infection.
As your child grows older, the size and position of the Eustachian tube will change, and your child will usually get fewer ear infections.
Risk factors
The following factors could make your child more likely to get ear infections:
- family history of ear infections
- being around people who are sick
- head and neck problems (such as a cleft palate)
- smoking in the home
- allergies
- asthma
- cold and flu season
- bottle feeding while your baby is on their back
Ear infections and hearing
Ear infections can cause your child to have problems hearing for a little while. Your child may hear sounds as muffled or unclear.
Ear infections can also cause your child to have challenges with:
- building listening skills
- talking
- understanding what you’re saying
- paying attention and behaving
- learning
Treatment
Your doctor will check your child’s ears with a special light (called an otoscope) to look for fluid or infection behind their eardrum. They may prescribe medicine to treat the infection.
If the infection and hearing trouble continue, your doctor may refer your child to a specialist, such as:
- An audiologist—a healthcare provider who checks for and manages hearing problems. They may check for fluid or infection in your child’s middle ear that is causing hearing problems. They can also offer advice to help your child with listening and learning.
- Otolaryngologist—also called ear, nose, and throat doctor or ENT. An ENT doctor may recommend putting tubes in your child’s eardrums.
It's important to have your child’s hearing checked again 3 to 4 months after seeing a specialist, or after they have tubes put in. This way, you can make sure there are no problems with your child’s middle ear.
How to help your child
Here are ways to notice if your child has an ear infection and help treatment be successful:
Watch for signs of ear infection
A child with an ear infection may:
- have a fever or discomfort (for example, you notice they are pulling on their ears)
- not react or try to look when there are noises
- ask “What?” or say “Huh?” often
- move closer to the TV or turn up the volume
- watch facial expressions and gestures carefully
Understand your child’s treatment
When you see your doctor about your child’s ear infection:
- Ask your doctor to explain anything you don’t understand about your child’s treatment.
- If your doctor prescribes medicine, make sure you know how to give it to your child. Be sure your child finishes all the medicine.
- Ask your doctor what you can do at home to help with your child’s ear pain.
- Ask your doctor when you should bring your child back for an ear check.
Encourage your child’s speech and language
Encouraging your child’s speech and language can help you notice hearing problems early and get treatment. Here are things you can try:
- Children often copy what they hear. Talk about everything your child does during the day and add to the words they say. For example, if your child says “Dog,” you could say “Brown dog” or “That’s a nice brown dog.”
- Repeat your child’s words, pronouncing them properly. If your child says “Dus,” you could say “Mmm...is that good
juice?”
- Read to your child.
- Move close to your child and speak clearly.
- Help your child learn new words and use them throughout the day, such as while shopping, bathing, eating, or taking a walk.
Where to get help
To learn how speech-language pathologists and audiologists can help with speech, language, and hearing concerns, contact your child’s healthcare provider or visit
Pediatric Rehabilitation.
