When to be Concerned With an Ear Infection

Ear infections seem to be a rite of childhood. While they seem to be a routine occurrence in most children, you do need to be concerned about some potential consequences of an ear infection. Each of these complications has long-standing implications and should be taken seriously.

Impacts Language Development

• If you have a child who develops frequent ear infections, you already know some of his infections are milder than others. You need to know that, while ear infections are usually a mild childhood illness, they can cause long-standing consequences for your child.

  Ear infections stem from fluid in your child's middle ear. If that fluid remains in his ear and is not drained, either by his body or by tubes, it will interfere with his hearing. If your child is just beginning to speak, losing any of his hearing at this critical time can negatively impact his language development. If you have any concerns about the frequency of your child's ear infections and their possible effect on his language development, speak to his pediatrician about your concerns.

  Your child's doctor can let you know if he thinks any further testing may be necessary. He can also give you a general idea of where your child should be in his speech and language development, and if your child is at this point.

Hearing Loss

• As discussed in another section, ear infections develop after a buildup of fluid in your child's ear. If the fluid remains in her ear, it "blocks" the sound coming into her ear. You may notice that, when you call her name or try to get her attention, she appears to be ignoring you. She may have lost enough hearing that she actually does not hear you.

  If you notice this type of behavior in your child, schedule an appointment with the pediatrician right away. Your doctor needs to know of this development sooner rather than later so your child can receive an audiology exam.

Meningitis

• If an ear infection moves far enough, it can infect the fluid that surrounds your child's brain and spinal cord. This is a serious complication and one that can lead to permanent disability for your child or even death. When you notice your child is not feeling well and is pulling on his ear or complaining of pain in his ear, take him to the doctor for diagnosis.

  If you notice your child is getting markedly worse, is lethargic and difficult to arouse, is irritable, vomiting and seems to have a stiff neck, take him to the doctor immediately. His ear infection may have become meningitis. The only way to get a definite diagnosis is for his doctor to perform a spinal tap so the spinal fluid can be cultured for bacteria or viral infection.