Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban, medical director and pediatrician at myPediaclinic (Voted best pediatric clinic in Dubai) discusses fluids in the middle ear during the flu season throughout the seasonal transition from summer to winter on the following interview with City 7 Dubai.
Fluids in the middle ear are a hidden cause of problems in children, if left untreated can cause partial or complete hearing loss. It is more common in children than in adults due to anatomy of the internal ear tubes. This often comes with no signs and symptoms.
What causes fluids in the middle ear?
Dust, humidity, air dryness from the A.C, ear infections, colds can cause allergy which cause fluids in the middle ear.
How can fluids in the middle ear be detected?
Even skilled pediatricians when looking at the ear with an otoscope can easily miss fluids in the middle ear. The tympanometer is the best tool and latest technology to detect fluids in the middle ear according to Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban, medical director and pediatrician at myPediaclinic.The tympanometer can also check for pressure in the middle ear and if there is any retraction of the ear drum.
The typanometer at myPediaclinic is painless and takes a few seconds. Find below the images
Find below an image of an ear with fluids in the middle ear.
Find below an image of a retracted ear drum
Who needs to have their ears checked for fluids in the middle ears?
- Children who have had an ear infection 2 weeks ago
- Children with nose allergy
- Children who snore at night
- Children with learning difficulty in school
- Children with delayed speech
- Children with attention deficit or lack of concentration
- Children who turn the TV volume higher
- Children who have traveled on a plane recently
How do we treat fluids in the middle ear?
Fluids in the middle ear are treated by first treating what is causing it.
