Ear Infections are one of the most common conditions in children under 2 years old. In most cases the child will recover fully and experience no recurrences. For some children however, ear infections can occur frequently and may temporarily affect the child’s hearing. In this article we look at why this can happen and how cranial osteopathy can help.
Why a child’s hearing can be affected by recurring ear infections.
When an ear infection re-occurs it’s very often as a result of mucus build up in the middle ear (this is the part of the ear behind the eardrum and it’s usually full of air).This mucus cannot drain away thru the Euchastian tubes because of inflammation in the tubes. Over time, this fluid can become thick and viscous and become even more difficult to clear. This is called Glue Ear or Otitis Media with Effusion (OME).
How Osteopathy can help.
The aim of osteopathic treatment is to open the Euchastian tubes to allow the fluid that has build up in the middle ear, to drain away. Many children will have a runny nose after the treatment. This is good, as it demonstrates that the fluid is moving. In the more chronic cases, it can take a little time to resolve completely and the child may even get an ear infection during this time, but once the tubes are open again the condition will improve. Hearing will return to normal once the middle ear if clear of fluid.
Hearing Test
If your child’s hearing is affected, they may need a referral for a hearing test. In that case, we will refer your child to Michael Power Audiologist – Hearing Tests
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