The Impact of Ear Infections on Learning
by: Lindsay Swain

Ear Infections are one of the most common problems in young children, and one of the most common purposes for doctor's visits. However, there is a lot you may not know about the impact of ear infections. According to a study in the May 1997 issue of Clinical Pediatrics, "Ninety percent of hyperactive children studied had a history of three or more ear infections."

Hyperactivity is just one of many side effects of ear infections. In fact, ear infections can lead to language delays, learning delays, auditory processing disorders, and a variety of behavioral and social problems. These children have problems distinguishing sounds, which not only affect speech, but also reading, spelling and phonemic awareness.

Children who suffer from these types of problems as a result of multiple ear infections are easily targeted in an educational setting. They have trouble focusing and attending, and are often misdiagnosed with ADD. Because listening effectively is so difficult for them, auditory overload is often misinterpreted as laziness, lack of focus and distractedness.

Ear infections and auditory processing difficulties can also impact a child's internal dialogue. The internal voice of those without processing problems is responsible for guiding us through thought, reading, problem solving, and sequencing. With little or no internal voice, problems involving comprehension, recall and conceptual grasp often surface.

A common characteristic of children with auditory processing disorders is to fill the void of their internal voice by speaking or "thinking" out loud, and to repeat aloud what has just been said to or by them.

One final point of note concerning ear infections is fluid build-up. Although an infection may not be present, there can still be fluid in the middle ear. Even though it may not be inflammed, this fluid can be as damaging as an ear infection. It can dampen sound, which causes the information that is received to be distorted. The effect can be compared to hearing under water. In turn, the presence of fluid does not allow the ear to operate effectively.

When dealing with ear infections, it is important to be proactive. It is recommended that you consult with your child's physician to determine the most effective way to manage and minimize the potential long term effects of chronic ear infections. Some suggestions include:

1. Diet Modifications
2. Antihistamines
3. Ventilation tubes
4. Prophylactic antibiotics

Chronic ear infections, although seemingly benign, are the most common childhood illness. However, the long term effects can have serious implications for listening, communicating and learning. Proactive parents have happy healthy kids!