What should I do if I think that otitis media is causing a hearing, speech, or language problem?
A physician should handle the medical treatment. Ear infections require immediate attention, most likely from a pediatrician or otolaryngologist (ear doctor). If your child has frequently recurring infections and/or chronic fluid in the middle ear, two additional specialists should be consulted: an audiologist and a speech-language pathologist. An audiologist’s evaluation will assess the severity of any hearing loss, even in a very young or uncooperative child, and will indicate if a middle ear disorder is present. A speech-language pathologist measures your child’s specific speech and language skills and can recommend and/or provide remedial programs when they are needed.
