August 08, 2008
Otitis media, an inflammation of the middle ear (behind the eardrum), is one of the most common illnesses of young children. There are two different types of otitis media. Either one can occur in one or both ears. Acute otits media, also called an ear infection, is an infection of the middle ear. Fluid in the middle ear may remain even after an infection is gone. Otitis media with effusion, referred to as middle ear fluid, is fluid that is not infected. When your child as a cold, a small tube between the ear and the throat becomes blocked; this causes fluid to build up in the middle ear.
Most children have at least one bout with otitis media (ear infection) by one year of age. Your child may have all, some, or none of the following symptoms:
- Child pulls on ear
- Child says ear hurts
- Drainage from ear
- Fever (acute otits media)
- Irritability
- Poor sleep
During the first three years when children have the most problems with otitis media, they are learning to speak and understand words. It may be harder to hear and understand speech and language if sounds are muffled by fluid in the middle ear. Some researchers suggest that frequent otitis media may lead to speech and language difficulties. It is important that you pay close attention to the speech and language development of your child if he or she experience frequent otitis media.
Here are a few tips to help your child who may be experiencing frequent otitis media:
- Wash your hands and your child’s hands after blowing nose or going to the bathroom (this will fight the spread of gems)
- Clean toys that have been in your child’s mouth before and after he/she plays with them
- Bottle-feed in an upright or slightly leaning position. Your child should not be put in bed with a bottle. (Liquid from the bottle may go up a small tube leading to the middle ear, causing middle ear fluid).
- Keep your child away from smoke. Cigarette smoke increase your child’s chance of middle ear disease.
Denise Moore Revel is a leading Speech Therapist who specializes in improving adult communication skills. Visit her website www.askthespeechtherpist.com and sign-up for the FREE online newsletter for more tips, ideas, and strategies on how to improve speech and language development.
