Pediatric ENT

Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy, or removal of the tonsils, is one of the most common throat operations. The tonsils are masses of lymph tissue in the back of the throat. They work with the adenoids and immune system early in life to defend the body against invading bacteria and viruses. 

 

Sometimes the tonsils become infected, abscessed, or enlarged, leading to any of a variety of symptoms, including sore throat, fever, ear infections, and difficulty swallowing or breathing. 

 

Surgery is recommended when more conservative treatments such as antibiotics or steroids fail to relieve symptoms, or when patients have frequent infections or difficulty breathing.   

Adenoidectomy

Like the tonsils, the adenoids are masses of lymph tissue in the back of the throat that help the body fight invading bacteria and viruses. Also like the tonsils, the adenoids are prone to infection and enlargement. This can lead to sore throat, ear infections, stuffy nose, and breathing and swallowing problems. 


If medical treatment fails to resolve the problem, the adenoids may be removed in a procedure called an adenoidectomy.  

Ear Infections

The shape and size of a child’s developing ear canal make it difficult for fluid to drain—but easy for bacteria to dig in. That’s why ear infections are one of the most common reasons for childhood doctor visits. If you suspect that your child might have an ear infection, be on the lookout for symptoms like: 



  • Pulling or tugging on ears 
  • Low appetite 
  • Diarrhea 
  • Vomiting 
  • Difficulty sleeping 

Ear Tubes in Kids

Ear infections. They can be frequent, and for many, they can be painful. 



Though viral ear infections tend to go away on their own and bacterial ear infections can be treated by way of antibiotics, chronic ear infections often lead to more severe complications. Speech complications, hearing loss, and even behavioral issues can be caused by persistent ear infections.

How Ear Tubes Can Help

ENTs specialize in these cases, and our recommendation is often ear tubes. Ear tubes are very small tubes that allow air to pass through the eardrum and into the middle ear to reduce the risk of infection. 


There are two basic kinds of ear tubes: 



  • Short term tubes—tubes intended for six months to a year. These tubes are designed to fall out of the ears without professional intervention. 
  • Long term tubes—as their names describes, these are intended to stay in place for a longer period of time. Their specialized design keeps them in place. They may fall out on their own, but in some cases removal by an ENT is required. 
Candidates for Ear Tubes
  • Reoccurring middle ear infections 
  • Fluid in your middle ear 
  • Balance problems 
  • Hearing loss 
  • Speech difficulties 
  • Sleep problems caused by ear infections 
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Hearing Loss That Affect Children 

Unlike adults, hearing loss in children is most commonly conductive hearing loss, rather than sensorineural hearing loss. As with adults, hearing loss in children is measured in degrees: It can range from mild (one that causes difficulty hearing hushed tones such as a whisper) to moderate (where the child can still hear loud speech) to a complete loss of hearing. 

Conductive Hearing Loss

The most common type of hearing loss in children is a conductive hearing loss associated with conditions in the external or middle ear that block the transmission of sound. In children, these conditions are most typically otitis media, impacted cerumen, a perforated eardrum, or birth defects that alter the structure of the external auditory canal and/or middle-ear system. Most conductive hearing losses are medically treatable through antibiotics and/or surgery. 

Sensorineural Hearing Loss 

Sensorineural loss is the second most common type of hearing loss, resulting from damage to the cochlea (inner ear) and the auditory nerve. Sensorineural hearing loss in children is often congenital. Other causes of sensorineural hearing loss include ototoxic medications, premature birth, and illnesses. Sensorineural hearing loss is not medically treatable; however, in most cases, children can be helped with hearing aids or cochlear implants. 

Symptoms of Hearing Loss in Children

Signs of possible hearing loss in children range from not startling at loud sounds to speech delay to academic difficulties, depending on the age of the child.

Newborn/Infant:
  • Not startling at loud noises 
  • Unable to localize sound 
  • Not showing normal speech development 
Toddler and Older:
  • Speech and language delays 
  • Academic difficulties/delays 
  • Needing louder than “normal” volume to hear television 
  • Needing multiple verbal repetitions 
  • Stating that he/she is having difficulty hearing 

  If you believe your child has a hearing loss, please come to one of our offices in Connecticut to meet with one of our professionals. Timely hearing testing, diagnosis, and treatment will provide the best course of action, ensuring the highest-quality lifetime experiences for your child. 

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