Health and Wellness: Ear infections and how to treat them

by Dr. Christopher Perro

During this time of year, when illnesses are on the rise, ear infections can be a problem, especially with little ones. Dr. Christopher Perro, a board-certified otolaryngologist at UT Health East Texas Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Center at Three Lakes in Tyler, answers some common questions about ear infections and how to treat them.

Q: Are ear infections more common this time of year in adults and children?

A: Yes, we tend to see more patients this time of year coming in with ear infections.

Since the ears and nose are connected, upper respiratory infections like colds dominate in the fall and winter months, and that can lead to more ear infections.

Q: What are the symptoms of an ear infection?

A: An earache is the most common sign of an ear infection, and that can present as either a sharp, sudden pain or a dull, continuous ache.

You might also experience a feeling of fullness in the ear, muffled hearing, ear drainage and even nausea. In children, common signs are tugging at the ear, irritability, fever, poor sleeping and a diminished appetite.

Q: How do you effectively treat ear infections?

A: Most middle ear infections will either resolve with observation or antibiotics, but ear tube placement can reduce the frequency of infections as well as complications of those repeated infections.

Q: What are some of the signs tubes might be needed?

A: The most common indication for ear tubes is repeated ear infections, typically three or more ear infections within a six-month time period or more than four in a year.

Tubes also may be used to help when fluid hangs out behind the eardrum for too long and causes hearing loss or speech delay.

Q: What are adenoids and what are the benefits to having them removed?

A: Adenoids are a pad of tissue, similar to the tonsils, but that are located in the back of the nose.

If adenoids are enlarged or chronically infected, then they can cause nasal breathing problems and contribute to higher risk of middle ear infections.

Removing the adenoids is straightforward and can improve nasal breathing and sinus as well as ear infections in kids.

Dr. Christopher Perro is a board-certified otolaryngologist at UT Health East Texas Ear, Nose and Throat Center at Three Lakes in Tyler. For more information or to make an appointment, call (903) 747-4098.