Ear Fears: 3 Common Problems in Children

A child is very fragile in every aspect. Everything a child needs care and concern while they are young to grow up healthy and independent. It includes every part of the body from the head to the toe. One that is neglected or cared for outwardly only are the ears. 

There are a lot of things to be taken care of when it comes to the ears. It is where gadgets like kids’ earmuffs, baby oil, and baby earbuds come in handy. Parents forget the inner aspects of the ear and the problems of their little ones. A baby who is so young to talk wouldn’t be able to point to his/her pain when they are crying. It could be because of ear infections.

Ear infections are common in all children. Even though most of it can be curable, some can even learn to hear impairment. Some things need to be taken care of in a child. This article will briefly indicate some common ear problems faced by kids in Australia.

Loud Noises

Did you know that exposure to loud noises over a long period can cause hearing loss in young children? We know it as sensorineural hearing loss or nerve deafness. Babies can only be comfortable with noises less than 50 decibels. It is crucial to block everything louder than this like, hairdryers, traffic sounds, lawnmowers, etc. 

Kids earmuffs are the perfect resort for this. With this, those little ears will be free of all the white noise and the threat of hearing loss.

Infections

There are two types of ear infections, common in children- otitis media (middle ear infections) and otitis externa (outer ear infections). However, the former is the most common child. Here, fluids get collected behind the eardrum because of allergies, colds, or sinus infections. In such situations, germs travel from the throat to the ear, causing a spread of infections. 

It can be extensive and last for many weeks, resulting in temporary difficulty in hearing. We know such a condition as glue ears. Intense pain is one symptom followed by a bulge in the eardrum. There will also be discharges from the ear, and that can also be a part of the healing process. 

Some treatments for ear infections are antibiotics and ear drops. If there is an extensive discharge of ear wax, contact the Pediatric ENT. Otherwise, it is healthy to have ear wax, should be cleaned, gently using cotton buds or warm cotton cloths.

Ear Routine

Moisturizing is very crucial for a baby’s skin. It can act as a protective barrier against foreign agents and locks all the moisture in the body. Thus the child’s skin will be soft and healthy with proper functioning. Ear eczema is caused in babies due to the drying out of the skin in that portion. Hence it is necessary to always keep the ear moisturized all the time.

For newly pierced ear in babies, it is crucial to clean them twice every day and look out for irritations and infections.

Conclusion 

As with any part of the body, the ear plays a crucial role in every human being. A healthy body contributes to the wealth of the mind. Hence a child should be cared for and prepared to be clean in every stage of their life.