Hearing is one of the most vital senses people develop. Infants calm down as they listen to their mother’s lullabies and toddlers learn how to speak by mimicking and absorbing the words and sounds they hear from other people. Teenagers start to develop their liking for music and talent for singing that require a keen hearing. So parents must ensure their children’s ear health by consulting a child ENT specialist in Singapore.

There are congenital conditions that impair your child’s hearing at a young age and ear conditions that are triggered by unhealthy habits. It is vital for parents to learn more about these for early treatment and prevention with the help of anENT specialist in Singapore.

Common Ear Problems And Conditions In Children And Teenagers

Ear problems and conditions can be either congenital or developed. These conditions affect everyone, from young to old, but are more common in younger people due to improper care and unhealthy habits.

Here are the most common ear conditions:

Congenital Ear And Hearing Disorders

●    Microtia

Microtia is an ear deformity that occurs while the foetus is developing in the womb. In this birth deformity, the outer part of the ear or the earlobe is smaller than usual. Microtia usually affects one ear, but bilateral microtia (both ears are affected) are possible.

Although the outer ear is affected, the inner ear and its components are usually normal, except for the narrow or absence of the ear canal in some cases.

A paediatric ENT specialist in Singapore conducts an ear reconstruction for treatment.

●    Anotia

Anotia is the grade IV of microtia. The outer part of the ear or the earlobe is completely missing in anotia.

●    Congenital hearing loss

Some babies suffer from hearing loss at birth. This condition can be discovered during postnatal care.

There are several causes and risk factors for congenital hearing loss.

Viral infections due to rubella or herpes simplex virus can cause hearing impairment in babies. Maternal diabetes, preeclampsia, and alcohol and drugs used whilst pregnant can also contribute to the onset of this condition.

Premature birth, low birth weight, and birth injuries can cause congenital hearing loss in babies.

Other conditions, such as Down Syndrome, Usher Syndrome, Alport Syndrome, and Treacher Collins Syndrome, are often accompanied by hearing loss.

These congenital ear and hearing problems can be detected during postnatal care with the help of paediatric ENT clinics in Singapore.

Non-Congenital Ear And Hearing Disorders

Non-congenital ear and hearing disorders often develop in children, teenagers, and rarely in adults. Most of these disorders are due to improper care of ears, unhealthy habits, and complications of other health conditions.

●    Swimmer’s ear

Also known as otitis externa, a swimmer’s ear is a bacterial infection in the area between the eardrum and the outer ear. It occurs when there is stagnant water in the ear, providing a moist environment for bacteria to thrive.

Swimming in untreated pools and dirty water increases the risk of the swimmer’s ear. Adults can also acquire this condition, but children are the most at risk. The swimmer’s ear is not transmissible.

An ENT specialist in Singapore usually treats a swimmer’s ear with antibiotic ear drops.

●    Middle ear infection

Also known as otitis media, a middle ear infection is a bacterial or viral infection behind the eardrum. This infection occurs when the bacteria and viruses reach the ears through the eustachian tube, causing the tube to swell and accumulate fluids.

The middle ear infection is usually a complication of respiratory conditions, such as common cold and allergies, which are common in children. Enlarged adenoids can also cause middle ear infections.

A child or teenager with a middle ear infection may experience ear pain, fever, ear drainage, and trouble hearing.

A paediatric ENT specialist in Singapore treats the middle ear infection using antibiotics and pain and fever medications.

●    Ear blockage

There are several causes of ear blockage. The first one is when there is an excessive wax buildup in the ears and the second one is when a foreign object is inserted in the ear. Ear blockage is a common condition achild ENT specialist in Singaporetreats.

The ears produce sticky and gooey earwax that traps dust, organisms, and microbes, preventing them from penetrating into the inner parts of the ear.

The earwax that has collected dust and microbes dries off and is pushed to the outer part of the ear for removal.

Ear blockage forms when the excessive earwax your body has produced dries off and gets stuck near the eardrums.

On the other hand, ear blockage can also be caused by a foreign object stuck in the ear. Children typically insert tiny things in their ears, such as button cells, pellets, and crumpled paper.

Both ear blockage causes can lead to ear infections and hearing impairment.

A professional ENT specialist in Singapore uses sterile equipment to remove the blockage and medications to treat the infections.

4 Habits That Can Affect Your Hearing

Prolonged exposure to loud noises.

Exposure to loud noises, such as listening to music using your earphones or headphones at maximum volume or being nearby thunderous equipment without ear protection, may develop noise-induced hearing loss.

Not drying your ears off.

A swimmer’s ear starts with stagnant water in the ear after swimming or taking a bath. It is vital to drain the water in your ear by tilting your head to the sides after swimming and showering. Use a clean towel or cotton swabs to dry your ears.

Improper use of cotton swabs.

Paediatric ENT clinics in Singapore always remind people not to use cotton swabs to clean the inner part of the ears. It could accidentally poke your eardrums or further push foreign objects and insects into the inner ear.

Cotton swabs are for earlobe cleaning.

Skipping ENT specialist checkups in Singapore.

A person must undergo an annual hearing test whether or not they have hearing problems for early hearing loss detection.

Takeaway

Hearing loss is irreversible. If you want to keep listening to music or the voices of your loved ones, you better take care of your ears by visiting anENT specialist in Singapore.

Dr Jenica Yong

Dr Jenica Yong is a paediatric ENT specialist in Singapore who provides treatment for ear disorders. Visit Dr Jenica Yong today.