Ringing ears or tinnitus is a condition wherein an audible ringing, roaring, swishing or hammering noise is heard from the inside of the ear and even inside the head.
It is common in adults as well as in children.
Adults may immediately seek medical help for a noticeable ringing in the ears but it could be very difficult to diagnose and treat in children.
In children causes of ringing ears may not be noticed right away until it is too late.
Very young children may not be able to complain of tinnitus and will just cry of an unpleasant sensation inside the ears.
Diagnosing tinnitus in very young children and toddlers could be done through careful assessment.
Does the child reach for his ears or try to put his finger inside his ears often? Does he cry and hold his ears at the same time? Do you find any hearing difficulties? Have you noticed impacted objects or cerumen in his ears when you clean them? Have you noticed foul smelling fluid coming out of his ear? It is important to seek consult right away if you have noticed any of these unusual situations; do not attempt to remove foreign objects or impacted ear wax inside your child's ear, especially with a cotton tip applicator.
Doing so will only push the impacted material towards the inner ear.
To understand ringing ears in children, here are some causes of this condition: 1.
Impacted cerumen - this is the most common cause of ringing ears in children.
Very young children may find meticulous cleaning of the ears frightening and tend to avoid this situation.
Cerumen is actually the ear's natural defence for materials that pass in the ear canal; ear wax coats small materials to prevent them from pushing inside the middle ear.
2.
Impacted object - small bits of food, small toys, soil or small objects that your very young child can place his hands on may end up in his ear.
DO NOT attempt to remove these on your own; seek help at once.
Your doctor may remove small objects and ear wax with a gentle suction or small tweezers.
3.
Loud noises - the ear has minute nerve endings that may easily get damaged after exposure to very loud noises as well as prolonged loud sounds.
If this condition is not immediately consulted by a doctor, your child may suffer from permanent hearing damage.
4.
High fevers and colds - just like adults, children who suffer from high fevers, flu or upper respiratory infection often suffer from temporary tinnitus.
The ear canal is in close proximity to the mouth via the Eustachian tube which makes it easy for bacteria and viruses to enter the ear from the mouth and the throat.
Ringing ear symptoms often disappear after the child gets well.
Trauma to the head or the external ear also leads to tinnitus in children.
Consult a doctor at once for early diagnosis and the best treatment for ringing in the ears in children.
It is common in adults as well as in children.
Adults may immediately seek medical help for a noticeable ringing in the ears but it could be very difficult to diagnose and treat in children.
In children causes of ringing ears may not be noticed right away until it is too late.
Very young children may not be able to complain of tinnitus and will just cry of an unpleasant sensation inside the ears.
Diagnosing tinnitus in very young children and toddlers could be done through careful assessment.
Does the child reach for his ears or try to put his finger inside his ears often? Does he cry and hold his ears at the same time? Do you find any hearing difficulties? Have you noticed impacted objects or cerumen in his ears when you clean them? Have you noticed foul smelling fluid coming out of his ear? It is important to seek consult right away if you have noticed any of these unusual situations; do not attempt to remove foreign objects or impacted ear wax inside your child's ear, especially with a cotton tip applicator.
Doing so will only push the impacted material towards the inner ear.
To understand ringing ears in children, here are some causes of this condition: 1.
Impacted cerumen - this is the most common cause of ringing ears in children.
Very young children may find meticulous cleaning of the ears frightening and tend to avoid this situation.
Cerumen is actually the ear's natural defence for materials that pass in the ear canal; ear wax coats small materials to prevent them from pushing inside the middle ear.
2.
Impacted object - small bits of food, small toys, soil or small objects that your very young child can place his hands on may end up in his ear.
DO NOT attempt to remove these on your own; seek help at once.
Your doctor may remove small objects and ear wax with a gentle suction or small tweezers.
3.
Loud noises - the ear has minute nerve endings that may easily get damaged after exposure to very loud noises as well as prolonged loud sounds.
If this condition is not immediately consulted by a doctor, your child may suffer from permanent hearing damage.
4.
High fevers and colds - just like adults, children who suffer from high fevers, flu or upper respiratory infection often suffer from temporary tinnitus.
The ear canal is in close proximity to the mouth via the Eustachian tube which makes it easy for bacteria and viruses to enter the ear from the mouth and the throat.
Ringing ear symptoms often disappear after the child gets well.
Trauma to the head or the external ear also leads to tinnitus in children.
Consult a doctor at once for early diagnosis and the best treatment for ringing in the ears in children.