PEDIATRIC ENT SERVICES
Allergies, earaches, and throat pain can strike at any age, and at Clear Lake Medical Center ENT, we have the expertise to provide lasting relief no matter the age of our patients. While children experience many of the same health issues as adults, the way symptoms appear and how to address them can be quite different. Our board-certified physicians understand these differences and will ensure your child finds lasting relief from earaches and allergies. We also offer comprehensive hearing diagnostics and other ENT services to meet all of your needs.
Pediatric ENT Issues We Treat
Airway and Breathing Disorders
Pediatric Nose and Sinus Problems
Allergies
Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia)
Speech and Language Disorders
Hearing Loss
Pediatric Head & Neck Tumors
Ear infections including swimmer’s ear, otitis media, middle ear fluid (serous otitis) and chronic otitis media
Throat problems such as recurring sore throats, tonsil and adenoid problems, bacterial tonsillitis, pharyngitis, peritonsillar abscess and sleep apnea
Foreign bodies of the ear, nose or throat
RECURRING EAR INFECTIONS
In children, middle ear disorders are the most common diagnosis of earache. If your child is complaining of ear pain, developing multiple ear infections, prone to allergies or nasal congestion, demonstrating signs of decreased hearing or imbalance, they may be suffering from a middle ear infection. Left untreated, this condition can lead to hearing loss, speech delay and developmental delay. Management is typically with ear tubes.
Ear tubes may be required in children suffering from recurrent ear infections, persistent fluid behind the eardrum, or significant ear pain from poor equalization of the middle ear space. Ear tubes decrease the number of ear infections, allow for easier treatment of infections usually with ear drops only, improve hearing, and oftentimes alleviate ear pain. The procedure is performed through the ear canal with the use of a microscope. A small incision is made in the ear drum and a pressure-equalizing tube is placed.
TONSILLECTOMY & ADENOIDECTOMY
The most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea in the pediatric population is enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Their purpose in early life is to sequester infections entering through the mouth and prevent travel further down into the lungs. However, tonsils sometimes become overwhelmed by infection or enlarge to the point of obstructing breathing. In these instances, the tonsils become more problematic than beneficial and may be removed with tonsillectomy.
Adenoids are located at the very back of the nose in a region called the nasopharynx. Similar to tonsils, they can become chronically infected and enlarged, leading to snoring, nasal congestion, chronic drainage, and even sleep apnea. Since the adenoids sit near the entrance to the middle ear, chronic adenoid infections can also be associated with recurrent ear infections.
The surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids is done through the mouth, with no external incisions. Tonsils and adenoids can be removed separately or simultaneously, depending on the needs of the patient.
PEDIATRIC HEARING LOSS
Recent studies show that five out of six children experience ear infections by the time they’re three years old, and that 15% of school-age children have some degree of hearing loss. While a fair number of children are born with hearing loss, even more suffer due to ongoing ear infections that are easily treatable. Whether due to illness, infection, injury, or genetic issues, we can help diagnose your child’s hearing and offer effective solutions to ensure they have the best possible chance to recover partial or full hearing. We offer a wide range of medical treatments that include ear tubes, medications, hearing aids, and more.
FOREIGN BODIES OF THE EAR, NOSE, & THROAT
Common foreign bodies of the ear and nose include rocks, beads, toys, hearing aid domes, household items, food, candy, cotton Q-tip ends, and even insects. Foreign bodies of the ear or nose should be removed as soon as discovered, because their sustained presence may potentially lead to immediate or long-term health consequences.
Successful removal depends on various circumstances, including the foreign body’s location, shape, consistency, and the patient’s level of cooperation. If the foreign body is particularly troublesome or the patient is particularly uncooperative, the use of a surgical facility and/or surgical procedure may be necessary to successfully remove the foreign body.
Foreign bodies of the throat (known as pharyngeal or tracheal foreign bodies) are generally viewed as medical emergencies and should be addressed urgently.