How Ear Infections in Children Affect Speech Development
It’s hard to see your little one so miserable. The crying, pain, and pulling at the ears are signs that your child may have an ear infection. But much more is at stake than just their hearing. You want your child to communicate clearly, do well in school, and take advantage of the wonderful opportunities presented to them.
But constant ear infections in children can make that difficult–especially since these illnesses can affect speech and language development. This is because chronic ear infections can cause hearing loss. If a child’s speech/language doesn’t develop properly, your child may have difficulty socializing or succeeding in school.
Specialized Care For Pediatric Patients
At Raleigh Capitol ENT, our dedicated, board-certified ear doctors in Raleigh are leaders in their fields, and have specialized training in pediatric ENT. We have seen firsthand how hard it is for parents and children to deal with speech/language development issues.
We know parents want to see their children succeed, and healthy hearing is a part of that. In addition, we know that chronic ear infections make it more difficult for children to understand what is being said, and this makes it challenging for parents, teachers, and –most importantly–for the child themselves. We encourage parents to carefully watch for developmental milestones and contact us if you have any concerns.
In addition, at Raleigh Capitol ENT, we have audiologists who are specially trained to help pediatric patients, and we even conduct newborn hearing screenings.
If your child shows signs of a speech delay or seems to be constantly battling ear infections, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with us today.
We’ll take a closer look at speech/language development milestones in children, and what to do if your child has constant ear infections.
Can Ear Infections in Children Affect Speech Development?
Ear infections in children can and often do create issues with speech/language development. This is one reason why it’s so vital to treat your child’s ear issues as soon as possible.
But what is it about ear infections that connects them to speech language development? Let’s delve into the issue a bit further.
First, ear infections in children are incredibly common.
This is due to the fact that a child’s Eustachian tube (the tube that connects the ear to the back of the throat) is usually more horizontal and smaller. In addition, children have immune systems that have not fully developed.
We look at this issue more in-depth in our earlier blog on “Why Do Children Get So Many Ear Infections?”
Ear fluid, which can be present in some ear infections, hinders the ability for your child to hear normally. The longer your child has fluid in their ears, the more likely it is that they will find it more difficult to develop speech/language.
This is because auditory (hearing) experiences are vital for the development of the nervous system.
Do Ear Tubes Help With Speech Delay?
If your little one has an extensive and frequent build-up of fluid in the ears, ear tubes can be an option. This condition is called otitis media with effusion, and it may be caused by fluid that remains trapped in the ear after an ear infection in children.
Ear tubes (called tympanostomy tubes) work by providing a way for fluid to drain, preventing pressure from building up behind the eardrum.
While ear tubes help prevent infections, do they help with speech?
The short answer is yes.
It’s difficult for your child to learn how to speak and understand when they aren’t able to process the language and words around them. As a result, this can cause speech/language delays that can cause problems in school.
Important Speech/Language Milestones
So how can you tell if your child has developed a hearing issue as the result of infections?
First, any time your child has an ear infection, we urge you to schedule an appointment with us.
As your child starts the road to healing, they will also be able to hear, understand and interpret sounds around them. Because early language and speech skills are vital to later success in school, the sooner they are treated, the better.
Second, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of pediatric development milestones.
Through this guide, you can easily gauge your child’s progress. If they are having difficulty, we recommend getting their hearing checked.
Our speech pathologists specialize in working with children to help them developmentally and get them ready for success.
Raleigh Capitol ENT Is the Premier Provider for Treatment of Ear Infections in Children
Our ear doctors in Raleigh are leaders in their field, graduating with honors from medical schools and completing additional training in both Pediatric and Adult ENT.
We understand children, and we strive to make our young patients as comfortable as possible. We are also responsive. We will always take time to answer your questions and address any concerns.
If you believe your child has an ear infection, don’t delay. Contact us for an appointment today.
This content is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as professional medical advice.
