Articles In This Section
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What’s a Nasopharyngoscopy? (Video)
A nasopharyngoscopy is a quick procedure that uses a special camera to help a doctor look at the back of the throat.
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Sinonasal Tumors
A sinonasal tumor is a growth in the nose, the space behind the nose, or in the sinuses. The tumors can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).
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Microtia
Microtia is when the outside part of the ear smaller than normal and, sometimes, misshapen. Children with microtia usually have normal hearing. If needed, treatments can reshape the ear.
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Nasopharyngoscopy
A nasopharyngoscopy is an exam doctors do to view the back of the throat.
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Orofacial Clefts
A cleft is when tissues of the mouth or lip don't form properly when a baby is developing in the womb. The good news is that orofacial clefts are treatable.
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Ototoxicity (Ear Poisoning)
Ototoxicity is when a person develops hearing or balance problems. Learn about this side effect of taking certain medicines.
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Peritonsillar Abscess
Older kids and teens with tonsilitis sometimes develop this painful abscess, a pus-filled tissue at the back of the mouth.
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Protruding Ears
Protruding ears is when ears stick out from the side of the head. They don’t cause any medical problems, but if parents or the child want the ears fixed, treatments can help.
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Speech-Language Therapy
Working with a certified speech-language pathologist can help a child with speech or language difficulties.
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Speech-Language Therapy for Children With Cleft Palate
Speech-language pathologists help kids with speech problems related to a cleft palate. Find out what they do.
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Stuttering
Many young kids go through a stage when they stutter. Stuttering usually goes away on its own but in some cases lasts longer.
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Submucous Cleft Palate
In a submucous cleft palate, the muscles of the palate don't form properly, but the tissue that lines the roof of the mouth does. This makes these clefts harder to see.
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Tonsillectomy
A tonsillectomy is surgery to remove the tonsils. It's one of the most common surgeries kids and teens get. Find out more.
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Tympanoplasty
Tympanoplasty is a surgery to repair a hole in the eardrum that doesn’t close on its own. It can improve hearing and prevent water from getting into the middle ear.
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Velopharyngeal Dysfunction (VPD)
When sound and air leaks into the nasal cavity during speech, this is called velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD).
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Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD)
Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) means that the vocal cords partially close during breathing, so air has more trouble getting through.
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What’s Ear Tube Surgery (Myringotomy)? (Video)
A doctor might suggest ear tube surgery if a child gets many ear infections that don't clear up easily or the ear infections seem to be causing hearing loss or speech delay. Ear tube surgery can drain fluid from the middle ear, prevent future infections, and help the child hear properly again.
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What’s a Cochlear Implant? (Video)
A cochlear implant is a surgically placed device that helps a person with severe hearing loss hear sounds. Doctors consider cochlear implants for children under 12 months of age with profound hearing loss in both ears. Older children with serious hearing loss also may get cochlear implants.
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Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are the main treatment for a type of hearing loss called sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). They work by making sounds louder.
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Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma
A juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a growth in the area behind the nose. They're benign but can damage nerves and bones and block ear and sinus drainage. Almost all JNAs are in teenage boys.
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Immunizations and Cochlear Implants
Children with cochlear implants have a higher risk than other kids of getting some types of bacterial meningitis. Vaccines can help protect them.
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How to Give Your Child Ear Drops
Tips for parents on getting drops into a child's ear.
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Hearing Tests
Hearing problems can be overcome if they're caught early, so it's important to get your child's hearing screened early and checked regularly.
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Hearing Loss Factsheet (for Schools)
What teachers should know about hearing impairments, and how to help students who have one succeed in school.
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Hearing Loss
Kids who have hearing loss, or hearing impairment, have trouble hearing or understanding some or all sounds. It’s best to catch hearing problems right away, because treatment is more successful if it starts early.
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Ears
Hearing may be the ears' main job, but it's not all they do. Learn all about the ears in this Body Basics article.
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Cleft Palate With Cleft Lip
A cleft palate with a cleft lip is when a baby's lip and palate (roof of mouth) don't form properly during pregnancy. Most kids with cleft lip and palate are treated successfully with no lasting problems.
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Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants can help many kids with severe hearing loss. Find out how they work and who can get them.
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Constricted Ears
Constricted ears is when the outer part of the ear is either wrinkled, folded, or flat. They don’t cause any medical problems, but if parents or the child want the ears fixed, treatments can help.
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Cryptotia
Cryptotia is when the top part of the ear is underneath the skin. If needed, treatments can reshape the ear.
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Ear Anomalies
An ear anomaly is when the size or shape of the outer, middle, or inner ear is different than usual. It can change how the ear looks and how a child hears.
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Ear Canal Stenosis
Ear canal stenosis is a narrow ear canal. If it leads to hearing loss or other problems, surgery can help.
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Ear Pits
An ear pit is a small opening (about the size of a pinhead) in front of the ear. They're common and usually don’t cause problems or need treatment.
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Ear Tags
An ear tag is a small lump of skin, fat, or cartilage in front of the ear. They’re painless, but doctors can remove them with surgery.
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Ear Tube Surgery
Many kids get middle ear infections (otitis media). Doctors may suggest ear tube surgery for those with multiple infections or a hearing loss or speech delay.
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Eardrum Injuries
A "popped" eardrum is more than just painful - it can sometimes lead to hearing loss. Learn about ruptured eardrums and how to prevent them.
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Ear Injuries
Ear injuries not only can affect a child's hearing, but sense of balance too. That's because our ears also help keep us steady on our feet.
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Chronic Hoarseness
Misuse of the vocal cords — caused by such things as repetitive screaming, yelling, or using the voice in an unnatural way — can lead to chronic hoarseness. Learn how to get the voice back into perfect pitch.
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A to Z: Bullous Myringitis
Learn about bullous myringitis, an infection of the tympanic membrane (eardrum).
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Adenoids and Adenoidectomy
Enlarged adenoids are normal some kids, but others need surgery. Often, tonsils and adenoids are removed at the same time.
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Anotia
Anotia is when a baby’s ear doesn’t form normally, so the baby is born with the outer part of their ear missing.
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Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Test
An auditory brainstem response (ABR) test is a safe and painless test that gives health care providers information about possible hearing loss.
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Aural Atresia
Aural atresia is a condition that happens before birth in which a baby’s ear canal doesn’t form. It causes hearing loss, but treatments can help most children hear better.
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Balance Disorders
Most kids stumble and fall from time to time, but a child who often loses their balance might have a balance disorder.
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Cholesteatoma
A cholesteatoma is a growth behind the eardrum that can damage the bones of the middle ear. Treating it can help prevent hearing loss.
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Cleft Lip
A cleft lip is when a baby's lip doesn't form properly during pregnancy. Most kids can have surgery to repair one early in life.
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Cleft Palate
A cleft palate is when a baby is born with a cleft (gap) in the roof of the mouth. Most kids can have surgery to repair them early in life.
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Laryngomalacia
Laryngomalacia is a common cause of noisy breathing in infants.
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Morquio A Syndrome
Morquio A syndrome causes growth problems and also can affect the heart and cause hearing and vision problems. Medical care and treatments can help with these problems.