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Cures for Constant Infant Ear Infection

Ear infections are a common problem for infants and young children, though they generally clear up entirely by age 4. If your child suffers from an ear infection, it will likely clear on its own within a few days; in more severe cases, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. If a child has recurring ear infections and antibiotics do not seem to help the situation (or the infections are causing more serious problems like hearing impairment), the doctor may have to take more significant steps in order to cure the ear infections.

  1. Diagnosis

    • Ear infections that persist and seem resistant to antibiotic treatment can eventually lead to more serious problems, such as hearing or speech problems. In this case, a doctor may recommend surgery to treat the ear infection and cure the child of future ear infections. This surgery involves placing tubes inside the child's ear drum to help the fluid drain from the ear. The tubes will remain in place for 6 months to 1 year and come out on their own after that. No further treatment is generally required.

    The Procedure

    • During the surgery, the doctor will place your child under general anesthesia and make a small incision in the ear drum. Then, he will insert the tubes into your child's ear where the incision is located; the entire procedure takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

    After Surgery

    • Within 24 hours of the surgery, your child should return to her normal routine. Her ear may leak fluid for a week or so following surgery; this is normal. You will likely have to take precautions when your child goes swimming or takes a bath, to prevent fluid from entering her ears.
      Even after surgery, your child may experience the occasional ear infection. However, the number of ear infections she contracts should be drastically reduced. In addition, she should experience improvements in her hearing, speech and sleep habits. The tubes should fall out on their own as her ear drum grows; if not, the doctor may have to surgically remove them (or they may need to be replaced if they fall out too early).

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