when to be concerned about ear infections

in this article:

• What causes ear infections?
• How are ear infections treated?
• When is it time to consider ear tubes for kids?
• Ear tube surgery and the pediatric difference

what causes ear infections?

If you’re a parent, it’s likely you’ve had a kiddo with an ear infection or two or three! Ear infections are very common, especially between the ages of six months and two years. Nearly every child will get an ear infection at some point. But if your child keeps getting them, it may be time to consider ear tubes surgery.  

Ear infections usually happen after an upper respiratory infection, like a cold. Mucus or swollen tissues block the Eustachian tube. This tube connects the ear to the back of the nose and helps get air to and drain the middle ear. With an ear infection, this blockage creates pain and pressure. 

We talked to Ankur M. Patel, DO, MPH, division chief of pediatric ENT (ear, nose and throat), to learn more about ear infections, treatment, when to think about ear tubes surgery and when to be concerned.

Symptoms of ear infections may include:

• Fever
• Earache
• Pulling on their ear
• Trouble eating, drinking, or sleeping
• Fluid draining from the ear

If you suspect your child has an ear infection, reach out to their pediatrician or schedule an appointment at one of Dayton Children’s Kids Express locations. Had four or more ear infections in a year? They might need ear tubes surgery. Take our 30-second quiz to find out! 

how are ear infections treated?

Ear infections treatment may depend on:

• How often your child has ear infections 
• How bad the ear infections are 
• Your child’s age and risk factors 
• How long the infection has lasted 

antibiotic or no antibiotic?

Sometimes, a doctor may give your child an antibiotic to treat the infection. Other times, they may choose a “wait-and-see” approach and will prescribe your child medicine for pain relief, without the antibiotic.

Most ear infections go away with time, pain relief, or antibiotics. However, if your child is having frequent ear infections, your provider may recommend ear tubes surgery to prevent future problems.

when is it time to consider ear tubes?

If your child has had more than four ear infections in the last twelve months, ear tubes surgery might be right for them. While it’s still possible to have an ear infection after getting ear tubes, they are much easier to diagnose and become a lot less frequent. 

There are also other things that might make ear tubes helpful for your child. Wondering if it’s time for ear tubes? Take our 30-second quiz to find out! 

ear tubes quiz

about ear tubes surgery

Ear tubes are the most common outpatient procedure in the United States. 1 out of 15 kids need ear tubes in their lifetime. The surgery itself only takes 10-15 minutes.  

• Your child will be given a very small amount of medicine to make them sleep. This is called anesthesia.  
• During surgery, the pediatric ENT surgeon will make a small incision in the ear canal and insert a small tube. This tube serves as an escape valve to relieve pressure in the ear.  
• As the ear drum heals, the tube will fall out, about 6 to 18 months after surgery. 

think it might be time for ear tubes surgery?

Had four or more ear infections in a year? They might need ear tubes surgery. Take our 30-second quiz to find out.

the Dayton Children’s difference 

At Dayton Children’s, we know that kids aren’t just little adults—they need care that’s specially tailored to them. From our pediatric fellowship-trained ENT care team to our child life specialists and anesthesia team everyone works together to make this the most calm and comforting experience for every child.  

We start caring for our patients long before they enter the operating room as kids get to choose their anesthesia gas, take a ride to the operating room in a toy plane, and draw on their sheets to ease anxiety. We also allow comfort items to come along for the journey and treat them to a sippy cup of juice afterward. These small touches may seem simple, but they make a big difference in helping our pediatric patients feel safe and supported! 

Ear tubes surgery at Dayton Children’s is done at our outpatient surgery centers at our main campus in Dayton and south campus in Springboro.