Why are ear infections so common in babies?
Let’s venture inside the middle ear to see how germs and tiny ears make such frequent contact. A canal called the eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat and helps to equalize pressure. But the throat, along with the nose, serves as a moist breeding ground for bacteria. Because a baby’s eustachian tube is short, wide and horizontal, throat and nose secretions — and any germs they may be harboring — travel more easily through it. Any fluid trapped in a cavity (such as the middle ear) acts as a medium for germs to grow, hence the frequent ear infections we see in many young children. Why is it important to treat ear infections properly? Your child’s hearing depends on the proper vibrating of the eardrum and the structures of the middle. Repeated infections can damage the eardrum, while repeated fluid accumulation dampens the vibrations, both of which interfere with hearing. That’s why it’s imperative to take ear infections seriously, especially when your baby
