Otitis Media
Otitis media represents one of the most common health problems affecting children. More than 60 percent of all children will have at least one episode of otitis media before they reach the age of 2 years.
Treatment Options
The Ear and Hearing Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center provides optimal care for children with acute and chronic otitis media, starting with complete diagnostic -- including audiologic -- testing, as well as treatment. The full range of medical services available at Cincinnati Children's, such as allergy and immunology evaluations, CT and MRI scanning, etc., allow for the comprehensive assessment of children with problematic ear infections.
Recently, the Carbon Dioxide Laser (CO2 laser or OtoLAMTM) has been proposed as a novel treatment option for children with otitis media. The Ear and Hearing Center offers this simple office procedure for some patients with otitis media. Although not a universal alternative to ear tubes in children with chronic otitis media, in a select population, the CO2 laser can be used to aerate and help clear fluid from the middle ear space and improve conductive hearing loss.
