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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou'll likely begin by seeing your family doctor or your child's pediatrician. You may be referred to a specialist in ear, nose and throat (ENT) disorders (otolaryngologist) if the problem has been persisting for some time, is not responding to treatment, or has occurred frequently.
Before your appointment talk to your older child about questions the doctor may ask him or her, and be prepared to answer questions on behalf of your child as necessary. Most questions for adults will address the same issues.
- What signs or symptoms have you observed?
- When did the symptoms begin?
- Is there any ear pain? How would you describe the pain — mild, moderate or severe?
- Have you observed possible signs of pain in your infant or toddler, such as ear pulling, difficulty sleeping or unusual irritability?
- Has your child had a fever?
- Has there been any discharge from the ear? Is the discharge clear, cloudy or bloody?
- Have you observed any hearing impairment? Does your child respond to quiet sounds? Does your older child ask "What?" frequently?
- Has your child recently had a cold, flu or other respiratory symptoms?
- Does your child have seasonal allergies?
- Has your child had an ear infection in the past? When?
- Is your child allergic to any medication, such as penicillin?
- Otitis media (ear infection). National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/otitism.asp. Accessed June 21, 2010.
- Ramakrishnan K, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of otitis media. American Family Physician. 2007;76:1650.
- Gould JM, et al. Otitis media. Pediatrics in Review. 2010;31:102.
- Diagnosis and management of acute otitis media. Pediatrics. 2004;113:1451.
- Otitis media with effusion. Pediatrics. 2004;113:1412.
- Ear tubes. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/Ear-Tubes.cfm. Accessed June 30, 2010.
- Benzocaine topical products: Sprays, gels and liquids — risk of methemoglobinemia. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm250264.htm. Accessed Apr. 8, 2011.
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