Leo's Ear Infections: What Parents Should Know About Ear Cleaning, Nose Blowing, and Hearing Warning Signs
Leo's Recurrent Ear Infections
When Leo was 3 years old, there was a period when he often scratched his ears, slept poorly at night, and occasionally complained that his ears hurt.
His parent took him to see Dr. Li from Pediatrics, and Leo was diagnosed with acute otitis media. After antibiotics, his symptoms improved. But a few months later, the problem returned. Over time, it recurred three to four times.
During one visit, Dr. Li asked two questions: how do you help him blow his nose, and do you clean his ears?
That was when Leo's parent realized that many everyday habits can be wrong — and some can directly affect children's ear health and hearing.
Ear scratching · Poor sleep · Ear pain · Repeated episodes · Daily care habits also matter
Four Common Risks That Can Harm Children's Hearing
Dr. Li explained that children's hearing can be affected by several common but often overlooked factors.
- Using cotton swabs or hairpins to clean ears forcefully
- Pushing earwax deeper into the ear canal
- Blowing both nostrils hard at the same time
- Long headphone use at high volume
- Frequent exposure to loud noise
- Recurrent otitis media
- Earwax blockage affecting hearing
- Viral infections such as mumps, meningitis, or influenza
- Ototoxic medications used without proper medical guidance
- Head or ear trauma damaging the eardrum or inner ear
Dr. Li emphasized that ears have a natural self-cleaning function. Forceful ear cleaning is usually unnecessary and may push earwax deeper, create blockage, scratch the ear canal, or even injure the eardrum.
Incorrect nose blowing is another common issue. If both nostrils are squeezed and blown forcefully at the same time, nasal discharge can be pushed toward the middle ear, increasing the risk of otitis media.
"Many hearing injuries are irreversible, but many of the risks are preventable if parents know what not to do."
Daily Protection: What Parents Can Do
For daily care, Dr. Li advised parents not to clean children's ears casually. If earwax is excessive and affects hearing, it should be handled by a doctor.
During feeding, bathing, or swimming, parents should prevent water or milk from entering the ear canal. After swimming, the child can lie on one side to let water flow out naturally. Cotton swabs should not be pushed into the ear.
For nose blowing, the correct way is to press one nostril gently and blow through the other side, then switch sides. During a cold, children should avoid forceful nose blowing.
Noise protection is also important. Television and speakers should not be too loud. Headphone volume should be kept below 60%, and children should use hearing protection such as earmuffs in noisy environments.
Do not forcefully clean ears, use sharp tools, or push cotton swabs deep into the ear canal.
Blow one nostril at a time, avoid forceful blowing during colds, and keep noise exposure low.
See a doctor for earwax blockage, ear pain, discharge, odor, swelling, or repeated scratching.
Hearing Warning Signs Parents Should Watch For
Dr. Li shared age-based warning signs that parents should pay attention to. Before 3 months, a baby who does not respond to loud sounds or does not visually follow faces may need evaluation. At 6 to 8 months, very little babbling or not turning toward sounds can also be a warning sign.
Around 1 year old, warning signs include not responding to name, not saying simple words like "mama" or "dada," or not understanding simple instructions. From 18 months to 2 years, not intentionally calling family members, not pointing to people or objects on request, or not saying meaningful words should be taken seriously.
By 2.5 to 3 years old, children who cannot say two- to three-word phrases, speak unclearly, or cannot communicate simply with other children may need hearing and developmental evaluation.
"If a child has ear redness, swelling, pus, odor, frequent scratching, or complains of pain or itching, do not delay and do not rely on home remedies."
Leo's Result: Better Habits and Normal Hearing
After Dr. Li taught the family the correct way to blow Leo's nose, an ENT doctor also helped remove an earwax blockage once. After that, Leo's middle ear infections did not recur as frequently.
His family also began paying more attention to household volume and stopped letting him use headphones to watch cartoons.
Leo is now 4 years old, and his hearing is normal. His parent now takes him for a hearing screening once a year.
Leo had repeated ear infections, ear scratching, poor sleep, and occasional ear pain.
The family corrected nose blowing habits and had earwax blockage handled by a doctor.
Leo's hearing is normal, and annual hearing screening has become part of his routine care.
Leo's story reminds parents that hearing damage in children can be irreversible, but many risks are preventable. Parents do not need to become doctors, but they should know what not to do, what warning signs to watch for, and when to seek medical help.