Common reasons for evaluation

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• Hearing problems: often caused by fluid behind the eardrum; important to address early to prevent delays in speech and learning.
• Speech delay: ENT causes such as hearing loss, enlarged adenoids, or tonsils should be ruled out.
• Frequent infections: recurrent ear, nose, or throat infections.
• Adenoids and enlarged tonsils: can block nasal breathing, increase infections, and lead to mouth breathing.
• Mouth breathing: persistent mouth breathing (often with snoring, infections, concentration issues, or dental problems).
• Snoring and sleep apnea: disrupt sleep quality, growth, and development.
• Allergies: such as hay fever or dust mite allergy. Symptoms include chronic nasal congestion, frequent infections, throat mucus, or cough. Untreated allergies can increase the risk of asthma.

Treatment options

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• Adenoid removal (adenoidectomy)
• Tonsil surgery:
  
  • Tonsillotomy (partial removal): for snoring and breathing problems
  • Tonsillectomy (complete removal): for recurrent infections or severe sleep apnea
• Middle Ear fluid / recurrent ear infections:
  
  • Small incision in the eardrum (myringotomy) to drain fluid
  • Placement of ear tubes (tympanostomy tubes) for longer-term ventilation
• Allergy management in children:
  
  • Allergy testing (skin prick test, blood test)
  • Counseling on medications and allergen avoidance
  • Immunotherapy (desensitization): a causal treatment that retrains the immune system and can significantly reduce symptoms long term

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