Ear-related conditions affect many children in varying degrees of severity. More than 75 percent of children usually have an ear infection by their third birthday, and over half have several ear infections before they are 12 years old, according to the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders. Ear infections are the most common disorder, but children can also suffer from swimmer’s ear (infection of the ear canal), ruptured eardrums, mastoiditis (inflammation of the mastoid bone) and other ear-related conditions.

The ear is divided into three parts:

• Outer ear. This is the visible part of the ear attached to the head. It contains folds of skin and cartilage (pinna) and the ear canal.
  

  

• Middle ear. Portion of the ear inside the head and behind the eardrum (tympanic membrane) that usually contains air. Three tiny bones in the middle ear send sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. When the eustachian tube leading to the middle ear is blocked, air cannot get in and fluid cannot drain out. This is the source of most ear infections.
  
  
• Inner ear. This is the deep portion of the ear that converts sound vibrations into signals that are sent to the brain through the auditory nerve. It is these signals that allow people to hear.

Ear-related conditions are common in children. The eustachian tube is smaller and less angled in children than in adults, and children often have immature immune systems. These and several other risk factors contribute to the development of ear infections and other ear conditions in children.

Risk factors for ear infections in children include:

• Personal history of ear infections
• Family history of ear infections
• Not being breast-fed
• Premature birth
• Recent illness, such as a cold or infection
• Frequent illness
• Pacifier use
• Cold climate
• Changes in altitude or climate
• Attending daycare/school
• Exposure to tobacco smoke
• Infected or overgrown adenoids
• Feeding from a bottle while lying down on the back

Allergies also increase a child’s risk for developing ear problems. Allergies cause inflammation in the ear which can lead to fluid accumulation. As fluid builds up in the ear, a child is more likely to develop ear infection and decreased hearing. When fluid accumulation occurs in a young child who is learning to talk, it can also lead to poor speech development.

Children tend to grow out of some ear conditions, particularly ear infections. The eustachian tubes grow larger and straighter providing better ventilation for the middle ear. The immune system also develops over time, and children learn to wash their hands and blow their noses. All of these factors contribute to fewer ear infections in older children.

Ear-related conditions affect different parts of the ear and cause a variety of symptoms. It is important that children with these disorders get prompt diagnosis and treatment, as symptoms may contribute to delayed social and academic progress, especially if there is hearing loss.