Otitis media (inner ear infection) 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.

Treatment Options

The Ear and Hearing Center at Cincinnati Children’s provides optimal care for children with acute and chronic otitis media, starting with complete diagnostic testing.  This testing includes audiologic testing as well as treatment. The full range of medical services available at Cincinnati Children’s – including allergy and immunology evaluations, CT and MRI scanning – allow for a 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. We offer this simple office procedure for some patients with otitis media. Although not a universal alternative to ear tubes in children with chronic otitis media, the CO2 laser can be used to aerate and clear fluid from the middle ear to improve conductive hearing loss in some children.