Could the repeated ear infections affect the hearing?

Question

Hello doctor,

My 4-year-old son has had six ear infections in the last eight months. The pediatrician says it is due to pneumococcal bacteria. He cries all night and keeps tugging at his ears. Antibiotics work for a few weeks but then it comes back. His daycare teacher says he seems distracted and does not respond sometimes. We have already tried 3 different antibiotics and I am worried about using so many medicines.

Are there any other approaches (such as vaccines, nasal sprays, or other medications) we can try to prevent pneumococcal bacteria from causing more ear infections? Could the repeated ear infections be affecting his hearing, especially since he seems distracted and does not always respond? Should we schedule a hearing test to assess his hearing loss? Are there steps we can take in his daycare setting or at home to help minimize the spread of bacteria that could be causing these infections?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I get that your son is having recurrent ear infections. I am interested to know if it is both ears or restricted to a single ear.

Yes, pneumococcal infection can be prevented with a vaccine, but in your child’s case, it should be more than a vaccine.

As a pediatrician, I would first like to know the risk factors for his recurrent ear infections: are you still bottle-feeding him? Is he a mouth breather? Does he get throat infections repeatedly as well? Is it both ears or only one ear that is getting infected every time?

I would like to help you further once I know the answers to these. Since you have noted some problems with his hearing, he needs to undergo the hearing test, but once all his ear infections are clear, please follow up with answers to my queries.

Preventive measures: Stop bottle feeding.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.