Risk Factors for Hearing Loss in Children - A guide to Hearing Loss

If you are a parent then you will naturally be concerned about your child’s hearing. Many children experience ear infections or earache whilst young which leave them feeling unwell and unable to hear properly but this does return to normal once the infection clears.

Children are prone to all manner of illnesses and diseases which is mainly due to the fact that their immune systems are still developing.

This is why children seem to pick up every cold or infection once they start school!

So why do children pick up so many ear infections?

There are several risk factors for children which include:

The Eustachian tube –a tube which connects the throat to the middle ear and helps to balance air pressure –is shorter and flatter than an adult’s. This makes it prone to blockages as well as providing open access for bacteria and viruses.

Another common problem for children is that of swollen adenoids. These occur as a result of a virus or infection but other times they develop for no apparent reason. If your child gets several bouts of tonsillitis and/or swollen adenoids then these are likely to be the cause of that. Passive smoking is another factor: if you or your partner smokes then your child is at risk of inhaling ‘second hand’ smoke which carries a whole range of problems. One such problem is persistent ear infections.

If you have a baby or a very young child (under 3) then there is even a risk from using a dummy. This may sound strange but there is the risk of spreading bacteria or germs from the dummy into the child’s mouth which can access the nasal passages. Plus constant sucking can alter the mechanism of the jawbone which enables germs and bacteria to easily enter the Eustachian tubes.

Children are more prone to ear infections between the ages of two and five.

Hearing Loss in Children : A guide to Hearing Loss

Hearing Loss

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