Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Has your child had an injury to the ear?
See significance of injury to the ear if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Note: Hearing problems can be very hard to check in children, especially in children age 3 and younger. The following may help you evaluate your child's hearing at age:
Call your child's health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Has your child developed sudden, complete hearing loss?
Yes Does your child have severe pain?
Yes Does your child seem to act dizzy or has a loss of balance?
Call your child's health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Does your child seem to have some hearing loss?
Yes Does your child have drainage or bleeding from the ear?
Yes Does your child have mild to moderate pain?
Yes Does your child seem to have mild dizziness?
You may wait to see if your child's symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Has your child had gradual and persistent symptoms for longer than 24 hours?
Yes Have your child's mild symptoms continued with no improvement for longer than 1 week?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: February 13, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology | |
 | ||