Pediatric Services

Infant hearing loss involves the inability of one or both of a baby’s ears to fully function, which can result from a congenital problem, infection, trauma, or other source. Early screening, diagnosis, and treatment are crucial to reduce the risk of communication and other developmental difficulties.

Ear infections aren’t unusual in childhood, but sometimes they keep coming back or won’t clear up with antibiotic treatment. They can lead to serious problems such as hearing loss and should be addressed quickly.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux occurs when stomach acid that has backed up to the esophagus reaches the throat. Among infants this typically manifests as spit-up, but it normally subsides as their bodies develop and they spend more time upright.

Excess noise can irreparably damage the inner ear’s tiny hair cells, which can lead to permanent hearing loss. Hearing protection; avoidance of sounds louder than 85 decibels; and careful use of MP3 players, earbuds, and headphones can help reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss.

Pediatric food allergies involve a child’s allergic reaction to something they’ve ingested or inhaled, which can lead to itching, swelling, redness, dizziness, sneezing, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or other symptoms. Food allergies, which sometimes go away on their own, can also be addressed through testing, identification, and avoidance of the allergens.

Gastroesophageal reflux or backflow of food from the stomach into the esophagus is not uncommon among healthy infants, who typically grow out of frequent reflux by about 1.5 years old. The failure of a key valve to keep stomach acid from backing into the esophagus, however, can result in gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

Obesity or excess body fat can put a child at risk of problems such as snoring, sleep apnea, and difficulty breathing. A medically approved regimen of healthful eating, exercise, and lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk.

Snoring and breathing problems during sleep are just two potential symptoms of sleep apnea. The culprit could be enlarged tonsils or adenoids — especially common in kids — which may require surgical removal.

Tinnitus is the sensation of ringing, buzzing, humming, clicking, or other sounds in one or both ears that no one else can hear. It can indicate problems such as hearing loss, so it’s important to have your child evaluated if you suspect any symptoms.