Ignoring ear infections in children can prove dangerous for their future. According to recent research, the accumulation of fluid behind the ears due to these common childhood diseases can affect children's hearing ability. Deafness can also hurt the physical and intellectual development of children. According to estimates, about 1 in 6 children in India suffers from ear infections, which affects their language and physical development.
Doctors say that like respiratory diseases, a large number of children have to face ear infections in childhood. According to a recent study published in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, if ear infections persist for a long time, the temporary hearing loss they cause can lead to long-term deficits in children's auditory processing and language development.
Infection can occur even without symptoms
Dr Shruti Sharma, ENT specialist, Apollo Spectra Mumbai, says that parents need to understand that their child can have fluid in the middle ear without any pain and they should consult a doctor without any delay. Children under 4 who have multiple ear infections may have a smaller vocabulary and struggle to match similar-sounding words than children who have fewer or no ear infections. Has not happened. They will also have trouble recognizing changes in sounds, which indicates possible problems in their brain's ability to process auditory information. Addressing ear infections promptly can reduce the accumulation of fluid that impairs language development. In cases where ear infections are persistent and fluid accumulates, temporarily placing a tube in the eardrum can facilitate water exit and restore hearing. This central auditory pathway reduces the chances of developmental delays and difficulties in language acquisition.
Affecting the critical years of language learning
Dr. Amit P. Ghavde, consultant-pediatrician and neonatologist, at Motherhood Hospitals, Kharghar, Mumbai, says frequent or frequent ear infections in children can lead to temporary hearing loss, which is critical for language acquisition. There is an interruption in the round. Children affected by ear infections during the critical developmental period of 5-17 years may experience delays in speech and language skills, as well as difficulty understanding and processing auditory information. Symptoms of hearing loss caused by ear infections often resemble symptoms of conditions like ADHD, which can lead to potential misdiagnosis. If the child experiences an ear infection, parents should seek timely treatment.
(PC: Freepik)
