Stating that hearing loss negatively affects school success, experts recommend a general health check before the start of the new school year. Experts pointed out that a silent ear cold can lead to hearing loss.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Ear Nose and Throat Specialist Prof. Dr. Murat Topak drew attention to the importance of ear health shortly before the opening of schools.
Attention to ear cold
Pointing out that hearing loss negatively affects school success, Prof. Dr. Murat Topak stated that diseases that can cause hearing loss can be detected with some precautions to be taken. Prof. Dr. Murat Topak stated that one of the most common disorders in children, in addition to middle ear infections, is silent ear catarrh, and that ear catarrh leads to hearing loss.
Adenoid may be the cause
Prof. Dr. Murat Topak stated that Otitis Media with Effusion (EOM), defined as "ear catarrh", is an inflammatory fluid accumulation in the middle ear that is not accompanied by active infection findings and said, "The most common factors that are effective in the development of the disease include dysfunction of the Eustachian tube, adenoid tissue (adenoid tissue), upper respiratory tract infections, allergic rhinitis. Patients may experience decreased hearing, a feeling of fullness in the ear and rarely mild pain due to pressure changes."
Hearing loss leads to learning difficulties
Stating that hearing loss can cause many problems in children, Prof. Dr. Topak listed these problems as follows:
"Problems in language development: Problems in the development of language and speech and articulation defects,
Learning difficulties: Difficulty developing concepts, problems with school achievement, impaired perception of music and rhythm
Behavior problems: Difficulty in social adaptation, introversion."
Prof. Dr. Murat Topak stated that ear catarrh is a disease usually seen in childhood and mostly in winter months and said, "It is stated that 90% of children will experience EOM at least once until the age of 10. However, since it is often silent, many of them remain hidden and the beginning and end of many of them cannot be known for sure."
Listen to these suggestions!
Stating that the factors and risk factors that cause catarrh of the ear should be taken into consideration and care should be taken for early diagnosis, Prof. Dr. Murat Topak warned, "For example, if there is any doubt about whether there is a problem with hearing after an upper respiratory tract infection, a health center should be consulted."
Do not lay the baby down while bottle feeding
Prof. Dr. Murat Topak listed his other recommendations as follows:
"Studies have shown that frequent and unregulated use of antibiotics, premature birth, early cessation of breastfeeding, bottle feeding, cleft palate and lip anomalies are risk factors in the development of EOM.
Feeding position is important, the child should not be lying down during breastfeeding or bottle feeding. In addition, adenoid vegetation (adenoiditis), which is common in children, and sinus infections it may cause should be treated.
Attention should also be paid to environmental factors that cause negativity, such as crowded family environment, poor hygiene conditions, smoking at home, crowded nursery environment, air pollution."
If not cured in 3 months, surgical treatment is applied
Prof. Dr. Murat Topak stated that medical treatment is primarily applied in ear catarrh, and then surgical treatment comes to the agenda. "The first step in medical treatment is antibiotic treatment. The patient is then followed up. If the disease does not improve within 3 months, surgical treatment is applied. The most common method in surgical treatment is the insertion of a ventilation tube. In this surgery, adenoidectomy (removal of adenoid) is also performed if available. The patient is followed up after surgical intervention."
Consult a specialist if you suspect hearing loss
Stating that there is a little time left before the opening of schools, Prof. Dr. Murat Topak stated that if families suspect that their children have hearing loss, they should definitely consult a specialist and said, "Schools will open soon. If parents suspect that their children have hearing loss, they should definitely have them examined. Hearing loss is a factor that negatively affects school success in children."
Middle ear infections are common
Prof. Dr. Murat Topak stated that middle ear infections, acute middle ear infections and ear catarrhs, upper respiratory tract infections are most common in children in the winter months and pointed out that allergic rhinitis in spring, summer and autumn, and external ear infections and viral upper respiratory tract infections are common in the summer months as a result of frequent exposure to water.