Kids ENT

There are many problems children experience that are unique to their age. This is especially true of problems related to their ears, nose and throat.

Ears

Most children will experience an infection of their middle ear (otitis media) at least once by the age of two. Ear infections are painful and cause a conductive hearing loss (the inability of sound to get to the hearing nerve). Fortunately, with medical treatment, ear infections resolve and hearing is restored. Rarely, complications may develop including:

• permanent hearing loss
• injury to the middle ear space and bones
• scarring and perforation of the ear drum
• cholesteatoma (growth of skin into the skull)
• serious infections of the nervous system

Ear infections are usually successfully treated by Pediatricians. If they persist or become unresponsive to antibiotics, then evaluation by an Otolaryngologist is necessary for consideration of surgical treatment. This may include the placement of a small tube into the ear drum to improve aeration and drainage of the middle ear, and to prevent complications resulting from recurrent or chronic infections. It also improves the child's hearing. Older children or children needing repeat surgery may need to have their adenoids removed.

Hearing loss is the most common birth defect. Today, with mandatory infant screening programs, most children diagnosed with severe hearing loss at birth are identified. Your Pediatrician will also assess your child's speech development during well baby check ups.

We work with our Audiologists to provide hearing tests for young children. Children as young as six months can be tested in a sound chamber, and younger children can be evaluated with a simple test known as otoacoustic emissions. Our physicians can provide other forms of diagnostic testing and treatments, and help to facilitate referral for cochlear implantation if necessary.

Nose

Many children experience some degree of nasal obstruction or difficulty breathing through their nose. This can be the result of:

• nasal allergies
• enlarged adenoids
• small nose
• septal deviation ( a crooked septum) from birth injury or trauma

or any combination of the above. Signs and symptoms associated with these conditions include the following:

• chronic mouth breathing
• snoring
• chronically runny nose
• dark circles and puffiness around the eyes
• restless sleep
• poor appetite
• recurrent ear infections

The treatment of these problems is both medical and surgical. We are often asked to assist in the treatment of these patients which can include the management of their allergies or the surgical removal of their adenoids and/or tonsils. Older children with deviated septums often benefit from septoplasty or the straightening of their crooked septums. These interventions can result in improved sleep and performance in daily activities.

Throat (Tonsils and adenoids)

We are often involved in the treatment of children with a history of chronic sore throats. Sore throats may be caused by inflamed and infected tonsils and may require surgical removal if the infections are unresponsive to antibiotics and medical management. Tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils) will significantly reduce the number of sore throats and often results in better school attendance and fewer illnesses.

Does your child snore loudly? This is a common problem caused by enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Studies have shown that children who have difficulty breathing at night and have their tonsils and adenoids removed do better in school. This problem is commonly encountered in our practice and we often treat children with snoring and sleep disturbances successfully with tonsillectomy and  adenoidectomy.

Neck

We are highly skilled and specifically trained in the diagnosis and management of neck masses. Neck masses that appear in children are often infectious or congenital (present since birth) in etiology. Their diagnosis sometimes involves the use of radiographic studies or biopsies. Most neck masses can be treated medically with antibiotics while others require surgical removal for diagnosis and treatment.