It is important that a newborn’s hearing is tested  before they leave the hospital or after a home birth. To be sure hearing loss is identified, hospitals in Colorado are required to provide a hearing screen prior to discharge. Identifying hearing problems and taking action as early as possible gives every baby the best possible chance to develop normal hearing, speech, and language development.

When initial screening is abnormal it does not always mean your baby has hearing loss. When initial testing is abnormal it is important to have follow-up testing to identify the issue. The follow-up testing is more extensive and can confirm whether your baby has hearing loss or not.

At CHPG Ent Parker we can perform this specialized testing on your baby. This testing is called Auditory Brainstem Response testing or ABR and is performed by our experienced pediatric trained audiologists. If testing is irregular, our physicians will evaluate your baby to diagnose possible causes of hearing loss and recommend further testing and treatment. Our physicians and audiologists at CHPG Ent Parker, work together to recommend and coordinate rehabilitative services and care for your baby's hearing, speech, and language development.

Ear infections are very common in children, with nearly half having three infections by age six. Ear infections are due to frequent colds or upper respiratory infections, as well as, the anatomy of the Eustachian tube in children. Colds or upper respiratory infections also lead to increased mucus production and swelling that blocks the Eustachian tube.

A single ear infection that resolves is generally not a long-term concern. However, frequent or chronic infections often lead to persistent fluid resting behind the eardrum which may produce a temporary hearing loss. This can have a significant effect on the child's speech and language development.

We preform a comprehensive evaluation of children with chronic ear infections. This would include a thorough review of the child's history of ear infections including treatments and outcomes. Hearing testing, if necessary, can be performed by our experienced pediatric trained audiologists. Based on evaluation of the above information, our physicians will provide recommendations regarding treatment options for your child.

Ear Tubes

Ear tubes are placed surgically under general anesthesia. The procedure is very short, lasting only about 10 minutes, and is performed as an outpatient surgery. The tube functions to prevent fluid from accumulating behind the eardrum. When a tube is present during an ear infection, it can act as a pathway to administer local antibiotic eardrops and resolve the infection without the need for oral antibiotics.

Hearing loss can have a dramatic impact on a child's ability to develop normal speech and language. Hearing loss may occur from a variety of reasons including, something as simple as wax in the ear canal to more serious diseases of the inner ear. Due to the impact normal hearing has on children's speech and language development, it is important to identify and treat hearing loss in children promptly.

Our physicians provide several services to thoroughly assess your child's hearing and development. Our highly trained pediatric audiologists are experienced in testing children's hearing and identifying issues. Our team is ready to support you and your family.

For many years it was said that children cannot get sinus infections because they do not have sinuses. However, children do have sinuses when born, although very small. Sinuses develop fairly quickly in children, such that at a year of age children can develop a sinus infection. Most sinus infections in children began with a cold or viral upper respiratory infection, however they can also develop as a result of allergies.

Symptoms

Most sinus infections will initially be evaluated by your child's PCP. Treatment may include antibiotics, however many sinus infections clear on their own without the need for antibiotic therapy. It is often difficult to determine the difference between a viral upper respiratory infection and a cold, versus that of a sinus infection. When sinus infections become very frequent or persistent it may be time to consider evaluation by an ENT specialist.

Our physicians have extensive experience in treating pediatric sinusitis. Evaluation beyond the initial history and physical examination may include, telescopic viewing of the nasal cavity, lab testing for allergies and/or x-rays, including a CT examination. Based on this information, our physicians can recommend the best ongoing treatments for:

• Persistent cough - often worse at night
• Severe nasal congestion
• Persistent runny nose often with colored secretions
• Fever
• Headache or facial pain 

Ballon Sinuplasty

At times surgery may be recommended depending on the severity of the situation. In children with chronic sinus issues this may include removal of the adenoid as well as surgery on the sinuses. In the past, sinus surgery involved removal of tissue and bone to drain the sinuses. With great advances in technology there is now a non-invasive procedure to drain the sinuses and help prevent future sinus issues. This procedure is called balloon sinuplasty.

In this procedure a small plastic tube is inserted into the sinus opening. Within the plastic tube is a balloon that gently inflates to stretch the sinus opening. The balloon is then deflated and removed. This procedure is non-invasive, safe, and very effective in children.

ENT problems are very common in children and especially in children with multiple medical problems. Many of these special needs children have multiple and unique ENT issues, including:

• Down syndrome
• Cleft palate
• Craniofacial abnormalities
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

There are several different treatment options available to treat your seasonal allergies. It is important to avoid irritants that trigger your seasonal allergies, such as pollen, plants, weeds or mold. Because pollen counts vary by geographic location, it is beneficial to track pollen counts in your area. Typically your local news station provides this helpful information.

Medications including anti-histamines, decongestants, nasal spray, and eye drops are also beneficial in treating your symptoms. Allergy testing is also an option and can help in identifying specific allergens that your body reacts to.

We are highly experienced and knowledgeable about the different treatment options available for allergies. Please call our office to schedule an appointment if you are experiencing allergy symptoms. We are here to help!