Do childhood earaches cause hearing loss later in life?
Do childhood earaches cause hearing loss later in life?
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Do childhood earaches cause hearing loss later in life?
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Ear infections are common in childhood. As with your daughter, some kids do have temporary hearing loss due to the build up of fluid in the middle ear, but it usually goes away with treatment.
It’s very rare, however, for kids to develop permanent hearing loss, even when they’ve had several ear infections. A child with frequent or chronic ear infections is at risk for permanent hearing loss only when damage has been done to the eardrum, the bones of the ear, or the hearing nerve.
Since your daughter’s hearing appears to return to normal after treatment for an ear infection, she’s probably not at risk for permanent hearing loss. But if you’re concerned, talk to your doctor about scheduling a hearing exam.
If your daughter’s ear infections continue to be a problem, the doctor might refer her to an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor), who may suggest ear tube placement to help reduce the number of ear infections she gets, and limit the hearing problems they may cause.
RAJESH SURESH DAKE
Recurrent ear infections during childhood can sometimes lead to chronic hearing loss. If an infection is suspected, the child should be seen by a physician for appropriate treatment.
Answered by Mariah Samara, MD. Dr. Samara is a board certified surgeon who specializes in conditions of the ears, nose, and throat.