As mothers, one sound that we hear a lot is babies crying: crying because they’re hungry, because they need a diaper change or because they’re just plain uncomfortable.
When it comes to baby’s hearing, dealing with ear infections is a familiar — and unpleasant — reality for many children.

An ear infection results when fluid becomes trapped in the middle ear, and can cause anywhere from minor discomfort to sharp pain. As adults an ear infection is often just an annoying pain that eventually goes away, but for baby it can be a serious ailment that should be watched closely to prevent hearing loss.

Ear Infection Symptoms may include:

• Trouble swallowing food
• Rejecting food
• Tugging on the ear (this gesture is more likely however, to indicate teething.
• Coughing
• Nasal congestion
• Fever
• Irritability
• Sleeplessness
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• If the ear infection is severe, the tympanic membrane may rupture causing the parent to notice pus draining from the ear (This usually brings relief from pain; but, pus in the ear may cause hearing loss in some children.
• A third of children with acute middle ear infection do not display symptoms.

Many of these symptoms can also be found in a child with other conditions, such as a cold or fever. If symptoms of ear infection are present, parents should consider practicing “watchful waiting” and continue to check the child. An estimated 30-50 percent of ear infections are misdiagnosed, which has contributed to the excessive use of antibiotics as well as increased resistance in children. For these reasons, monitoring and waiting may be wiser. If the symptoms persist, parents should then contact the child’s doctor.

A new home device called the EarCheck Middle Ear Monitor (that is sure to become a friend of any worry-prone mommy, will make this home monitoring time a little more bearable. By incorporating technology originally developed for physicians and used by health professionals nationwide, the EarCheck Monitor provides a quick, accurate and painless method of detecting middle-ear fluid. The device features a simple green, yellow and red scale indicating whether fluid is present and can help you decide whether your child’s condition requires monitoring or a visit to the doctor. Available for $50 at drugstore.com.

Of course no one is perfect, but if you’re looking for suggestions for how to prevent ear infections before they start:

• In infants, breastfeeding is known to prevent many illnesses in a baby’s early life, including ear infections.
• Feed older children fresh dark-colored fruits and vegetables to provide them crucial vitamins and minerals to boost their immune system.
• Avoid exposing children to cigarette smoke.

Sources: “Adam Healthcare Center” at about.com

– Becky Boushley

NOTE: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.