Why Do Children Get So Many Ear Infections?

Updated July 2025

In this article:

Almost every parent knows the stress and anxiety that occur when their child has an ear infection. It seems like these chronic infections are almost a rite of passage during childhood.

While there are several treatments for children who have chronic ear infections, including ear tubes, you may be wondering: Why do children get so many ear infections in the first place?

At Raleigh Capitol Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy, we understand how common ear infections are, not only among children, but adults. That’s why we have adopted a carefully customized care plan to get to the heart of your problem. Therefore, in this article, we’ll not only look at ear infections in children, but also examine common issues that affect the ears and what you can do about chronic ear infections.

If you have frequent ear problems, we can provide relief. Simply contact us for an appointment.

But before we begin, here are two words and definitions you will find useful when discussing ear infections:

The Role of the Eustachian Tubes and Adenoids

Eustachian Tubes

These are a pair of narrow tubes that run from the middle ear to the back of the throat. The tubes open and close to regulate pressure in the middle ear and drain normal secretions from the middle ear.

Adenoids

Adenoids function similarly to lymph nodes. They are located high in the throat behind the nose and the roof of the mouth. They can only be seen by using special instruments. Their job is to fight infections.

They do this by trapping germs that enter the body. As a result, they temporarily swell when they try to fight infections. Chronic tonsillitis and infections can make the adenoids sore and swollen.

Children’s ears are very different from adults’, and we’ll explore why this makes a difference.

Why Are Children More Likely to Get Ear Infections?

Children’s Eustachian tubes are smaller and more level than those in adults. This means that even under normal circumstances, it’s difficult for fluid to drain from the ear. If the tubes are swollen or blocked due to a cold or infection, fluid drainage may be even more problematic.

Children’s immune systems aren’t fully developed, so it’s more difficult for them to fight infection. They may also get colds more often. If they develop an infection, swollen adenoids interfere with the body’s ability to ventilate the middle ear, which can cause infections or, in some cases, temporary hearing loss.

Otitis media (ear infections) are very common in children—in fact, 3 out of 4 children will have an ear infection by the time they are three years old.

What Are the Signs of an Ear Infection?

How Can I Tell If My Child Has an Ear Infection?

Infants and younger children will not be able to tell you that their ears hurt, so you should watch for the following signs:

• Tugging or pulling at their ears
• Trouble sleeping
• Pus-like discharge from ears
• Clumsiness or problems with balance
• Difficulty hearing quiet sounds.
• Fever, particularly in infants and younger children

Can Ear Infections Be Prevented?

It may seem impossible to prevent ear infections, particularly with all the germs children are exposed to at school or day care centers. However, you can reduce your child’s chance of getting an ear infection by taking some of the following steps:

• Vaccinate your child against the flu and make sure he or she gets the vaccination every year.
• Speak to your doctor about other vaccinations, such as the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that protects against several types of infection.
• Wash your hands frequently. Teach your child how to wash hands properly with soap and warm water.
• Avoid exposing your baby to cigarette smoke. Babies who are around smokers have more ear infections.
• Never put your baby down for a nap or for bedtime with a bottle.
• Don’t allow sick children to spend time together. As much as possible, limit your child’s exposure to other children when your child or your child’s playmates are sick.

What Causes an Ear Infection?

An ear infection is usually caused by bacteria and often begins after a child has had a sore throat, cold, or other upper respiratory infection.

If the upper respiratory infection is bacterial, these same bacteria may spread to the middle ear; if the upper respiratory infection is caused by a virus, such as a cold, bacteria may be drawn to the microbe-friendly environment and move into the middle ear as a secondary infection. Because of the infection, fluid builds up behind the eardrum.

Our Board-Certified Otorhinolaryngologists in Raleigh Provide the Compassionate Expertise Your Child Needs

Ear infections are so common in children, so your child’s ENT doctor must specialize in pediatric ENT. At Raleigh Capitol Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy, we have treated hundreds of children throughout the Triangle area.

If you suspect your child has an ear infection, please contact us to schedule an appointment.

Another reason children often get ear infections is that they are frequently around other children in daycares or schools, where illnesses spread easily and increase the risk of infection.

So let’s delve further into this issue and provide some additional tips on how you can protect your child from getting constant ear infections.

How “Germy” Is Your Child’s Classroom? 5 Tips for Avoiding Infections

Back to school means more than a new set of pencils or backpacks. It means your child is going to be extensively exposed to germs, which can pave the way for colds, sinus problems and other illnesses throughout the school year.

How Many Germs Are in Your Child’s Classroom?

Studies have shown that any common classroom object – pencil sharpeners, desktops — is covered in bacteria.

Robert Donofrio, director of a microbiology lab at a public health and safety firm in Ann Arbor, Michigan, recently conducted a study evaluating common surfaces in a local classroom. Anything with a reading above 300 meant that there were several microorganisms that could cause illness.

The overall count was over 2,000. The “germiest” substance? The answer may surprise you. It was the water fountain.

This doesn’t even count the number of bacteria your child can be exposed to on the school bus, playground or from classmates who come to school despite being sick.

There are several precautions you can take to ensure your child stays as healthy as possible. This is particularly important during cold and flu season.

Here are five tips to help your child avoid ear infections and other illnesses.

1. Handwashing

Quite simply, the most effective method of avoiding illness is to wash hands regularly. However, most people do not know how to properly wash their hands. Hands should be scrubbed with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds (or as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice).

Teach your child to wash their hands:

• Before eating, whether it’s at lunch or just an afternoon snack
• After going to the bathroom
• After blowing their nose sneezing or coughing
• After being in contact with a classmate who has been sneezing
• After touching anything dirty, such as garbage, playground equipment, etc.

2. Teach your child to avoid sharing water bottles, personal hygiene items such as combs, or other substances with classmates.

Bacteria can reside on these objects, and exposure can lead to illnesses.

3. Provide nutritious foods and snacks for your child.

There are a lot of things you can do to help strengthen your child’s resistance to bacteria. Eating vegetables and getting regular exercise will help your child stay healthy, making them less likely to pick up the latest “bug” going around the classroom.

4. Be sure your child is up-to-date on vaccinations, particularly during flu season.

Did you know that the flu kills thousands of Americans each year? It’s important that you ensure your child has the flu vaccine each year.

In the U.S., many serious childhood diseases are rare. However, as fewer and fewer are vaccinated, these diseases are likely to return.

5. Don’t overuse antibiotics.

Most childhood colds and coughs are caused by viruses, meaning that antibiotics won’t be effective against them. Overuse of antibiotics creates antibiotic-resistant bacteria that present a health hazard not just for your child, but for the general public.

Colds and even sinus infections dramatically increase when the school year starts. At Raleigh Capitol Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy, we specialize in treating pediatric patients of all ages. We will work together with your entire family to tailor a plan of treatment that is appropriate for your child.

Next, we’ll take a closer look at the four most common ear problems, their causes and effective treatments.

The 4 Most Common Problems Affecting Outer, Middle and Inner Ears

1. Swimmer’s Ear

You’ve just finished a few laps in the pool but can’t shake the feeling of fluid in your ear.

No matter what you do, your ear remains “full.” Eventually, you develop the itching and pain that are telltale signs of swimmer’s ear.

We see water-related ear problems every year, most of which are entirely unavoidable and random. As a patient, it can be difficult to know when an ear issue requires medical attention—and how urgently it should be addressed.

Swimmer’s ear (also called acute otitis externa) occurs any time water stays in your ear canal for a long time, setting the stage for bacteria and germs to infect the delicate skin of your ear. It is essentially a localized infection in and on the skin of the ear canal, and it can involve bacteria or fungi.

While swimmer’s ear can occur any time of year—and by activities other than swimming—it’s often more common in the summer, when you and your children spend more time in the pool, ocean or lakes.

The most common causes of swimmer’s ear are germs that may be frequently found in water parks and in pools. According to the Centers for Disease Control, swimmer’s ear results in an estimated 2.4 million health care visits every year and nearly half a billion dollars in health care costs.

What Are the Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear?

• Itching that comes from inside the ear
• A “blocked” or “full” feeling, caused by fluid in the ear
• Ear drainage
• Fever
• Difficulty hearing
• Red and swollen skin near the ear

Swimmer’s ear can also present more serious symptoms as it progresses, such as:

• Pus discharge
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Complete blockage of the ear canal
• Intense pain in your face, neck and head

No one wants their time in the water to result in an uncomfortable condition like swimmer’s ear, so we’ve provided some useful tips to help you avoid this common ear infection.

How Can You Prevent Swimmer’s Ear?

You may avoid the condition with these basic precautions:

• As much as possible, try to keep your ears dry. This may mean using custom-made earplugs. Swimming caps can also help.
• Always dry your ears completely—even if you’re just taking a shower.
• If you’re having trouble getting water to leave the ear canal, try tilting your head back and forth.
• Try pulling your earlobe back and forth.
• If these techniques fail, please schedule an appointment with us so we can alleviate the situation by clearing the ear before an infection occurs.

What is the Treatment for Swimmer’s Ear?

While every case is different, typically, swimmer’s ear treatment involves antibiotic ear drops and cleaning the ear canal.

One important matter: Do NOT use ear-drying drops for swimmer’s ear treatment unless we direct you to. If you have had ear tubes or other issues, such as a hole in your eardrum, using drops without the care of one of our ENTs in Raleigh can cause further damage.

If you suspect you have swimmer’s ear, it’s very important to get treatment from one of our physicians at Raleigh Capitol Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy. Delaying treatment can lead to a more serious ear infection or even hearing loss.

2. Traumatic Ear Injuries

During the summer, diving, body surfing and high-speed activities such as water skiing, can result in traumatic water injuries (especially to the eardrum). We see and treat them regularly.

Remember that the surface of a body of water (pool, lake or ocean) can effectively “slap” the ear when someone lands wrong, especially at greater speeds or from greater heights. The result is a pressure wave toward the eardrum, which can injure it.

This does not always produce a perforation or hole in the eardrum, but often it does. If an ear injury is followed by ongoing hearing changes, pain, or drainage lasting more than 24 hours, it’s important to schedule an evaluation with one of our specialists for a thorough examination. Often, this will include an audiogram.

Most eardrum injuries heal on their own without treatment; however, in some cases, timely medical attention is needed to ensure proper healing and prevent the need for a more extensive procedure later.

A similar blow to the ear with associated significant dizziness can represent a far more serious condition requiring immediate attention. While mild disorientation and brief dizziness may seem normal after wiping out on a wakeboard or with similar incidents, any severe and persistent dizziness should be evaluated as promptly as possible to be certain a potentially dangerous injury behind the eardrum has not occurred.

Fortunately, these more severe episodes are far less frequent.

3. Ear Wax Impaction

Cerumen (wax) impaction occurs when the external ear canal becomes blocked by an excessive amount of normally occurring wax. Cerumen is made by tiny glands in the outer aspect of the ear canal.

Earwax is considered gross and unappealing, so everyone makes an effort to keep ears clean. Most of the time, this involves a cotton “Q-tip”-type applicator. But did you know that ear, nose and throat doctors usually advise against using this method? Using cotton swabs could put your hearing at risk.

Earwax Gets a Bad Rap

It’s not the most beautiful feature of your ears, but it enables them to hear beautiful music.

Earwax has an important job. It’s responsible for cleaning, protecting and lubricating the ears. Its antibacterial properties enable earwax to serve as a self-cleaning agent. You may be surprised to learn that normally, ear canals shouldn’t be cleaned at all.

Earwax forms in the outer one-third of the ear canal. Chewing and jaw motion slowly move earwax and skin cells to the ear opening, where they dry and fall out of the ear.

The earwax is never located in the deeper parts of the ear canal, such as near the eardrum. If left alone, earwax normally moves through its life cycle, causing no problems.

When you use cotton-tipped applicators, napkin corners or other objects, earwax is pushed deeper into the ear. The delicate membranes of the ear canal and eardrum can be easily irritated, placing your hearing in jeopardy.

Earwax serves an important role in protecting the outer ear from moisture and other things that might enter the canal. In most people, the ear is self-cleaning and the wax will come out periodically on its own.

In others, cerumen may accumulate faster than it extrudes itself, leading to blockage and hearing loss or a feeling of fullness or pressure.

The most common cause of earwax impaction is placing some object in the ear to try to remove the wax (Q-tip, bobby pin, or the top of a pen). In addition, water may sometimes get around the impacted cerumen and the warm and dark environment may lead to a bacterial or fungal infection.

Wax blockage is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. Blockage is often caused by cleaning the ear with cotton swabs and pushing the earwax where it doesn’t belong. Most cleaning attempts merely push the wax deeper into the ear canal.

How to Properly Remove Earwax

Cleaning your ears is simple: wash the outside of the ear with a soft cloth, but do not place anything inside the ear canal. Home treatments may also help, such as over-the-counter ear drops or mineral oil. The ear may be irrigated by using a saline solution (remember to warm this to body temperature or you’ll get dizzy).

Speak to us before you engage in any type of home remedy, including over-the-counter medications.

Do NOT use ear candles! They are dangerous and can lead to injuries such as burns and complete ear canal blockage.

Of course, the most effective way to remove impacted earwax is to schedule an appointment with one of our ENT doctors. We can vacuum or remove the earwax using microscopic visualization. Another reason an ENT doctor is a good choice is that he or she may be able to determine if there are any problems with the structures of the ear and schedule follow-up appointments if necessary.

How Are Wax Impactions Treated?

As soon as you experience one of these impactions, contact us. We want to be sure that earwax is the cause of your hearing loss and not some more serious condition. If you have a history of cerumen impaction—and you do not have a hole in your eardrum— we can recommend some over-the-counter or prescription products.

Remember, nothing smaller than your elbow or a football should be placed in your external ear canal!

4. Otitis Media, Also Known as a Middle Ear Infection

Middle ear infections can be painful for both children and adults. If not treated successfully, these persistent problems can cause permanent hearing damage.

Because antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming more prevalent, antibiotics are not always successful when treating ear infections. In fact, antibiotics are typically not necessary. In some cases, these ear infections will go away on their own. (But remember it may take the fluid a month or longer to leave the ear completely.)

However, when you or your child experiences chronic ear infections, ear tube placement may be a good option.

Ear tube placement—also referred to as a myringotomy –can be an effective treatment.

What Are Ear Tubes and What Happens During a Myringotomy?

Ear tubes are small tubes that drain fluid from the middle ear, alleviating pressure. They are also known as PE tubes or Pressure Equalization tubes. They are small, cylindrical silicone or plastic tubes that are surgically placed into the eardrum. They are inserted during a surgical procedure called a myringotomy with tube placement.

Ear tubes are typically placed for 4 reasons:

1. Recurrent Otitis Media. This is the most common reason for ear tube placement for children between 1 and 6 years old. Tubes are generally considered for patients who are having five or more ear infections per year.
2. Persistent Acute Otitis Media. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming more prevalent, and we are seeing more and more ear infections that will not clear with oral antibiotics. If an acute infection is not clearing with two to three courses of broad-spectrum antibiotics, ear tubes are frequently recommended.
3. Otitis Media with Effusion. Middle ear fluid is common for several weeks following an ear infection. If, however, fluid persists for three or more months, ear tubes are frequently recommended.
4. Eustachian tube dysfunction. While most children will outgrow their tendency towards ear infections around the age of 6, some go on to have chronic Eustachian tube problems. This typically manifests as frequent middle ear fluid, ear pressure, and ear infections. Adults with these issues often have tubes placed to alleviate their symptoms.

How Do Ear Tubes Work?

Ear tubes act as a ventilation device, preventing pressure buildup behind the eardrum. In doing so, they prevent the build-up of fluid, thus minimizing the chance of developing an ear infection. Tubes also serve as a drain, allowing fluid or infection that is present at the time of surgery to be drained from the ear.

Can I Swim If I Have Ear Tubes?

Yes. For bathing and swimming on the surface of a swimming pool, no precautions are necessary. For older children and adults who may dive deeper than two feet underwater, earplugs are recommended.

Is Anesthesia Required for Tube Placement?

A brief general anesthesia is required for tube placement in children. Adults can have ear tubes placed in an office setting using topical anesthesia (numbing drops on the eardrum).

Any post-surgical pain is usually well-controlled by over-the-counter medicines.

Will I Feel the Tubes?

You or your child won’t be able to feel the tubes, but there should be significant relief from the fluid pressure. You may also find your child’s hearing has improved.

How Long Do the Tubes Stay in the Eardrum?

In general, the tubes stay in place for approximately ten months and then fall out on their own. Ear drainage may occur after surgery.

A myringotomy is a safe procedure—in general, patients are fully recovered by the afternoon. Other benefits include a decreased need for antibiotics to treat infections, cost savings and fewer doctor visits.

We specialize in treating both adults and children, and we’ll be glad to answer any of your questions.

Otitis Media in Children

Did you know that otitis media is the most common pediatric illness treated by ENTs?
While many children recover with no complications, otitis media can cause permanent hearing loss if it is left untreated. Hearing loss hinders learning ability and can even impede speech development. The severe pain associated with ear infections causes children—and their parents—distress.

We discussed some of the reasons children have so many ear infections above, but we’d like to continue to go into a bit more detail on the topic because it is so common.

Thankfully, timely and effective treatment can stop the pain and almost always restore hearing.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, some children are at greater risk of developing otitis media with effusion, Eustachian tube dysfunction, or persistent acute otitis media.

This includes children who:

• Are two years old or younger
• Attend daycare
• Drink from a bottle while lying down
• Are exposed to air pollution
• Are frequently around secondhand smoke

Discover Why We Are the Premier Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy Doctors in Raleigh

Your hearing is a precious gift. Often, ear injuries or chronic infections can place your hearing in jeopardy, which is why you or your child needs to seek treatment from one of our experienced physicians who are leaders in their field

For decades, we’ve offered the highest quality care for adults and children. Contact us for an appointment today.

Additional Tips for Hearing Health: Avoiding Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and Allergy Problems

A fireworks celebration is fabulous, but if you’re too close to the excitement, your hearing may pay the price. And fireworks aren’t the only culprit. Loud noises from boat motors, music or performances can have a cumulative effect on your hearing.

What Qualifies as Too Loud?

We recommend exposing yourself to noise no louder than 80 decibels (dB) without hearing protection. To place that in context:

• Normal conversation is around 60 dB
• A rock concert usually clocks in around 110 dB
• Fireworks can range from 140 to 160 Db

If you believe your hearing has been compromised or you’re having difficulty understanding what is being said, please schedule an appointment in Raleigh, Wake Forest, Garner, Holly Springs or Cary so we can conduct a hearing exam to determine the extent of the problem and offer solutions.

Being Proactive Against Pollen

When flowers are in full bloom, pollen is common. The result is:

• Itchy, watery eyes
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Postnasal drip
• Sore throat

Not only can these put a damper on summer plans, but they simply make you miserable and keep you from enjoying the activities you love.

Some of the most common summer allergens include tree and grass pollen, mold and ragweed. The key to avoiding the miserable summer symptoms is to be proactive. Often, medication or allergy shots (immunotherapy) can be key to controlling your miserable symptoms.

At Raleigh Capitol ENT, we offer an extensive array of allergy treatment services where we get to the heart of the matter to ensure we’re providing the most effective treatment available. If allergies are causing problems for you—no matter what time of year—we’re on standby, ready to help you. Just schedule an appointment with us.

Need Advice on ENT Care or Allergy Treatment? Contact Us for an Appointment

While summer can present specific ENT challenges, we want to help ensure your health throughout the entire year. Whether you need allergy treatment, ear tubes or your child needs tonsils removed, we provide the latest in state-of-the-art care coupled with compassion. We promise to take time to listen to your concerns and answer your questions. See why we are the area’s premier ENT doctors in Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Holly Springs, and Garner. Contract us for an appointment.

Key Takeaways:

Ear Infections in Children:

• Chronic ear infections are very common in childhood due to anatomical and immune system differences.
• Children’s Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal, making fluid drainage more difficult and increasing infection risk.
• Swollen adenoids from frequent illnesses can block drainage and ventilation in the middle ear.
• Signs of an ear infection in children may include:
  • Ear pulling
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Balance issues
  • Fever
  • Hearing problems
• Infants and toddlers may not communicate ear pain, so it’s important to watch for behavioral changes.
• Bacterial or viral upper respiratory infections often lead to middle ear infections as fluid builds up behind the eardrum.
• Preventative steps include:
  • Vaccinations
  • Proper handwashing
  • Avoiding secondhand smoke
  • Not putting babies to bed with bottles
• If your child has frequent ear infections, professional evaluation and treatment—such as ear tubes—can provide long-term relief.
• Seeking early treatment helps prevent complications like hearing loss or speech development delays.
• Regular and proper handwashing is the most effective way to help your child avoid illness, including ear infections.
• Teach your child not to share personal items like water bottles or combs to prevent the spread of germs.
• A balanced diet and regular physical activity can strengthen your child’s immune system and reduce their chances of getting sick.
  Keeping your child up-to-date on vaccinations—especially the annual flu shot—is essential for preventing serious illnesses.
• Avoid overusing antibiotics, as most childhood illnesses are viral and unnecessary antibiotics can lead to resistant bacteria.

Common Ear Problems

Swimmer’s Ear:

• Swimmer’s ear is a bacterial or fungal infection caused by water remaining in the ear canal.
• Symptoms include:
  • Itching
  • Fullness
  • Pain
  • Drainage
  • Fever (sometimes)
  • Difficulty hearing
• Prevent swimmer’s ear by keeping ears dry and drying them thoroughly after water exposure.
• Treatment usually involves antibiotic ear drops and cleaning by a medical professional.
• Never use ear-drying drops without medical advice, especially if you’ve had ear surgery or eardrum issues.
• Prompt medical care is essential to avoid complications like hearing loss.

Traumatic Ear Injuries

• Water sports like diving and wakeboarding can cause traumatic ear injuries, including eardrum damage.
• A forceful impact with water can create a pressure wave that injures the eardrum.
• Symptoms like persistent pain, drainage, or hearing changes lasting over 24 hours need medical evaluation.
• Most eardrum injuries heal naturally, but some require timely treatment to prevent long-term issues.
• Severe dizziness after a blow to the ear may indicate a more serious injury and requires urgent care.

Ear Wax Impaction

• Earwax, though often misunderstood, protects and cleans the ear naturally.
• Using cotton swabs or other objects to clean the ear often causes impaction by pushing wax deeper.
• Symptoms of impaction include fullness, hearing loss, and possible infection if water gets trapped.
• To clean ears properly, wash only the outer ear and avoid inserting anything into the canal.
• ENT doctors can safely remove impacted wax using specialized tools and techniques.
• Do not use ear candles, which are dangerous and ineffective.

Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infections)

• Middle ear infections can cause pain and hearing loss in both adults and children.
• Many infections resolve without antibiotics, but persistent or recurrent cases may require ear tubes.
• Ear tubes help drain fluid and relieve pressure, preventing further infections.
• Children with frequent infections, prolonged fluid buildup, or Eustachian tube dysfunction may benefit from tube placement.
• Tube placement is a safe outpatient procedure with minimal discomfort and significant benefits.
• Children can usually swim with ear tubes, though deeper diving may require earplugs.
• Otitis media is the most common pediatric condition treated by ENTs.

• Untreated infections may lead to permanent hearing loss and delayed speech development.
• Children under two, those in daycare, or those exposed to smoke or pollution are at higher risk.
• Timely treatment restores hearing and prevents long-term complications in most cases.

Avoiding Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

• Exposure to loud sounds like fireworks, boat motors, and concerts can cause permanent hearing damage over time.
• Sounds above 80 decibels may be harmful without hearing protection, especially prolonged or repeated exposure.
• Fireworks can reach dangerous noise levels between 140–160 dB, far exceeding safe thresholds.
• If you notice difficulty hearing or understanding speech, schedule a professional hearing evaluation promptly.

Managing Summer Allergy Problems

• Common allergy symptoms include itchy eyes, sneezing, sore throat, coughing, and postnasal drip.
• Tree and grass pollen, mold, and ragweed are major summer allergens that can trigger these symptoms.
• Being proactive with allergy medications or immunotherapy can prevent symptoms from interfering with summer activities.
• Early treatment helps maintain comfort and health during peak allergy season.

The content within this article and others on this website is only for educational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. For any questions or concerns, please consult with your healthcare provider.

=====

Sources:

ABC News, “Schools Can Be a Hotbed of Bacteria,” https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=2455073 

American Speech-Language Hearing Association, “Loud Noises,” https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/loud-noise-dangers/?srsltid=AfmBOopcCtUFs9H6hN1PktCrBEL6r0Yr-xK5hdSwQG7wJIqf6Mhha1bK#signs 

Centers for Disease Control, “Vaccines and Immunizations,” https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ 

Centers for Disease Control, “Recreational Water Illness and Injury Prevention Week,” https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6019a1.htm#:~:text=This%20year’s%20observance%20focuses%20on,%2Dprevention%2Dguidelines.html. 

Mayo Clinic, “Ear Infections: Symptoms / Causes.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ear-infections/symptoms-causes/syc-20351616 

Mayo Clinic, “How You Hear,” https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/in-depth/ear-infections/art-20546801 

National Institute of Health. “Ear Infections in Children.” https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/ear-infections-children#:~:text=Anyone%20can%20get%20an%20ear,is%20otitis%20media%20(OM). 

Nemours. Kid’s Health. “Enlarged Adenoids.” https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/adenoids.html