Common Pediatric ENT Conditions in Austin, TX
Our staff loves to see kids! Their smiles, laughter, silliness, and the sweet things they say make our day. Many of the most common childhood health issues involve the ear, nose, and throat, which is why our ENT specialists are dedicated to providing compassionate, expert care for children of all ages. Our physicians are Board Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and have extensive experience diagnosing and treating a wide range of pediatric ear, nose, and throat conditions.
Whether your child is experiencing ear infections, sinus infections, allergies, hearing loss, chronic sore throat, noisy breathing, or other ENT concerns, our team provides personalized treatment designed to support your child’s health and comfort. We understand that every child is unique, so we take the time to explain your child’s symptoms, answer your questions, and recommend the most appropriate treatment based on your family’s needs.
As experienced pediatric ENT providers, we know parents want the best for their kids, while their kids simply want to feel better and get back to sleeping, learning, and playing. We work closely with families to create a positive experience and provide the highest standard of child healthcare in a welcoming, child-friendly environment where safety always comes first.
If your child is experiencing ear pain, frequent ear infections, hearing loss, persistent nose or throat symptoms, or another concern affecting the ear, nose, and throat, schedule an appointment with one of our specialists today. Our pediatric ENT team is here to help your child feel better and thrive.
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Recurring Ear Infections
Recurring ear infections (otitis media) and persistent ear fluid are among the most common reasons children visit a pediatric ENT specialist. Acute otitis media develops when bacteria or viruses cause an infection behind the eardrum, often after a common cold or allergies. When the eustachian tubes do not drain properly, fluid buildup can remain in the middle ear, increasing the risk of additional ear infections, temporary hearing loss, and ear pain.
Our team provides comprehensive evaluations and treatments for ear infections, beginning with the most appropriate medical therapy to treat this condition. While most ear infections improve with time or antibiotic treatment when needed, some children experience frequent ear infections or persistent fluid that affects their hearing and speech development. In these cases, ear tubes or PET (pressure equalization tubes) may be recommended to improve ventilation of the middle ear and reduce future infections.
This simple outpatient procedure is performed painlessly with inhalation anesthesia and takes just minutes to perform. Once the fluid is removed and the ear tubes are in place, many children experience immediate improvement in hearing, fewer infections, and relief from ongoing discomfort.
Chronic Allergies
Many children struggle with chronic allergies that are constantly affecting their nose, throat, ears, and overall quality of life. Ongoing allergy symptoms can contribute to sinus infections, recurring ear infections, noisy breathing, poor sleep, and discomfort by causing swelling and inflammation throughout the ear, nose, and throat. Because allergies can also affect the immune system and increase the risk of other ENT concerns, early evaluation is essential.
At our Allergy Testing and Treatment Center, our pediatric ENT team provides a comprehensive evaluation that includes both allergy and ear, nose, and throat assessments. We use needle-free allergy skin testing to identify each child’s specific triggers, then develop personalized allergy drops tailored to each child’s results, medical history, and symptoms. These drops are taken under the tongue at home each night, offering safe, convenient relief by training the immune system to reduce and often stop allergy symptoms while lowering the risk of chronic inflammation, recurrent sinus infections and other ENT problems, helping your child breathe easier, sleep better, and enjoy better overall health.
Chronic Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)
Children are especially prone to recurring sinus infections (sinusitis) because their immune system is still developing, they are frequently exposed to germs at school and daycare, and their small sinus anatomy makes drainage more difficult. Viruses, bacteria, allergies, and repeated colds can all contribute to recurring sinus infections, causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, cough, headache, facial pressure, bad breath, and sore throat. Without prompt treatment, a lingering infection can affect your child’s comfort, sleep, and overall health.
Our pediatric ENT team offers the most advanced diagnostic tools and medical therapy for this condition to help children find lasting relief. We can evaluate the nose and sinuses using painless video endoscopy and an in-office mini CT scan to identify the cause of chronic or recurring symptoms. Depending on your child’s condition, treatment may include oral or topical antibiotic therapy, other medications, and supportive care to clear the bacterial infection and help the sinuses drain properly.
When medical therapy fails to break the cycle of recurring sinusitis, pediatric balloon sinuplasty may be recommended. This minimally invasive procedure gently opens the sinus drainage pathways without traditional surgery, allowing the infection to clear and the sinuses to drain more naturally. Our office was intimately involved in the creation of the original prototype we use for balloon sinuplasty and participated in the study that helped it obtain FDA clearance. The balloon sinuplasty can be performed under sedation with rapid recovery and minimal to no downtime. Kids are usually back in school the next day and don’t require any pain medication. There is no packing or nasal splinting. The procedure takes about 15 minutes, and most kids are on their way home within 20 minutes of having the procedure, making it an effective option for children with chronic or recurring sinus infections.
Nasal Congestion
Chronic nasal congestion can make it difficult for children to breathe comfortably, sleep well, and stay active. A child’s stuffy nose may be caused by allergies, sinus infections, enlarged adenoids, structural concerns, poor air quality, or other conditions affecting the ear, nose, and throat. Some children may also experience noisy breathing, mouth breathing, snoring, recurrent infections, or ongoing sinus symptoms as a result.
Our pediatric ENT team performs a comprehensive evaluation to identify the underlying cause of your child’s symptoms and recommend the most effective treatment.
Some possible treatments could include the following:
- Needle-free allergy testing and personalized allergy treatment through our Allergy Center, including custom allergy drops taken at home.
- Advanced in-office MiniCT Imaging to evaluate for chronic sinusitis, structural issues, and enlarged adenoids. Our MiniCT technology provides detailed images with extremely low X-ray exposure.
- Minimally invasive outpatient surgery when medical therapy and allergy treatment do not provide adequate relief. Procedures, such as balloon sinuplasty, turbinate reduction, tonsillectomy, or adenoidectomy, can improve airflow, reduce chronic congestion, and help children breathe and sleep more comfortably.
Pediatric ENT Care – Hear from Our Patients
“Great with our kids and gave us hope that we can get their allergies under control and correct their mouth breathing. Didn’t jump to suggest extra or expensive procedures.”
– Alyssa C
Tonsillectomy And Adenoidectomy
Children may have many different problems with their tonsils and adenoids. Similar to lymph nodes, these structures are located in the back of the throat (tonsils) and back of the nose (adenoids) and are responsible for supporting the immune system by trapping bacteria and viruses that enter through the child’s mouth and nose. The tonsils are located in the back of the throat, while the adenoids sit behind the nose. When these tissues become chronically inflamed or infected, they can lead to recurring illness and affect your child’s breathing, sleep, and overall health.
Recurring Strep throat, tonsillitis, or enlarged adenoids are frequent problems in kids as well and can result in being referred to a throat specialist. Symptoms may include a persistent sore throat, fever, cough, noisy breathing, difficulty swallowing, swollen tissues, and poor-quality sleep. Some children may also develop recurrent infection that does not respond to antibiotics or other medications. When medical therapy fails to relieve this condition, outpatient tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy can be performed using the latest and safest technique to reduce recovery time.
Chronic tonsillitis may also require a tonsillectomy when ongoing infection causes persistent sore throat, tonsil stones, bad breath, or repeated infection, and halitosis. After surgery, your healthcare provider will recommend ways to stay comfortable during recovery, including getting plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, and following post-operative instructions carefully. While recovery varies, many children begin feeling better within about two weeks and can return to their normal activities soon afterward.
Tongue Tied
Ankyloglossia, commonly called tongue-tied, can affect infants and children by limiting normal tongue movements. Depending on the severity, children may have difficulty with the following:
- Breastfeeding
- Speech
- Swallowing
Our pediatric ENT team carefully evaluates tongue function and recommends treatment when necessary. In most cases, tongue-tie can be corrected with a brief, simple in-office procedure performed under topical anesthesia. The procedure takes only a few minutes and can help improve feeding, speech, and overall oral function.
Hearing Loss And Speech Delay
Hearing loss and speech delay are frequent concerns for parents and can affect a child’s communication, learning, and development. Recurrent ear infections, persistent middle ear fluid, and other ear, nose, and throat conditions may contribute to temporary or permanent hearing loss if left untreated. Our Ear and Hearing Center offers a comprehensive pediatric hearing evaluation for all ages for accurate results. In addition to evaluating the ears, our physicians will also evaluate the tongue and oral cavity for any restrictions that may affect speech to ensure there are no limitations to movement. We also work closely with your child’s speech pathologist and other child’s healthcare professionals to develop the most appropriate treatment plan.
Snoring, UARS, And Sleep Apnea
Occasional snoring is common in children, but persistent snoring or noisy breathing during sleep may be a sign of an underlying ear, nose, and throat condition. Snoring in children is caused by resistance to airflow that produces sound but does not necessarily disrupt sleep. Enlarged adenoids, enlarged tonsils, allergies, chronic nasal congestion, chronic sinusitis, or other airway problems can restrict airflow through a child’s nose and throat, affecting sleep quality and the child’s overall health. A pediatric ENT evaluation can help identify the cause and determine the most appropriate treatment.
Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) is a more serious condition where airflow resistance not only causes snoring but also reduces sleep quality. Although a child may not completely stop breathing, repeated interruptions prevent restorative deep sleep and REM sleep, which are essential for memory, learning, growth, behavior, and physical recovery. Over time, poor sleep can lead to daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and behavioral concerns.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is similar to UARS but more severe. In OSA, children experience repeated pauses in breathing in sleep. These episodes reduce oxygen levels and increase the risk of long-term complications, including problems with growth, learning, heart issues, weight gain, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Dentists are often the first healthcare professionals to recognize signs of UARS or OSA, as chronic mouth breathing can affect facial growth and dental development. Common findings include a high, narrow palate, an overbite, a smaller or recessed jaw, changes in tooth alignment, and increased risk of gum or tooth disease, which often lead to orthodontic concerns if left untreated. If you notice persistent snoring, noisy breathing, restless sleep, or daytime fatigue, talk with your healthcare provider or a throat specialist to determine whether your child would benefit from further evaluation.
The good news is that treating UARS and OSA in children is usually straightforward. Depending on the cause, treatment may include:
- Outpatient removal of tonsils and adenoids
- Balloon sinuplasty or turbinate reduction (nonsurgical or minimally invasive)
- Needle-free allergy testing with custom allergy drops
- Modern endoscopic septoplasty to correct nasal obstruction
By addressing the specific areas of airway resistance, children can achieve better sleep, healthier growth, and improved overall well-being.
Eardrum Hole (Perforated Eardrum)
Some children develop a perforated eardrum after repeated ear infections, trauma, or injury to the middle ear. A hole in the eardrum can contribute to hearing loss, recurrent infection, and other ear problems. Tympanoplasty is a simple outpatient procedure that repairs the eardrum, helps prevent future infections, and restores hearing whenever possible. Our goal is to improve your child’s hearing and protect the long-term health of the middle ear.
Neck Masses
Head and neck masses are a frequent problem in children and can be of great concern for the parents. Our pediatric ENT specialists evaluate a wide range of conditions affecting the head and neck, including:
- Lymph node enlargement
- Salivary gland swelling
- Congenital cysts, such as branchial cleft cysts
After a thorough examination, we will determine whether observation, additional testing, or neck surgery is the most appropriate treatment. If a procedure is necessary, our pediatric ENT specialists have the expertise and experience to remove these pediatric neck masses with a simple outpatient procedure.
Schedule A Consultation
If your child may be experiencing hearing loss, recurring ear infections, chronic sinus infections, allergies, snoring, sleep concerns, or another ear, nose, and throat condition, contact our office today at 512.601.0303 to schedule a consultation with one of our expert physicians. Our experienced pediatric ENT team is committed to providing compassionate, personalized care to help your child breathe easier, hear better, sleep soundly, and thrive in life.
Austin Pediatric ENT Care – FAQs
When should I take my child to an ENT instead of their pediatrician?
If your child has frequent ear infections, persistent hearing loss, chronic sinus infections, enlarged adenoids, ongoing sore throat, noisy breathing, or symptoms that continue despite treatment provided by your primary care physician, your healthcare provider may recommend seeing an ENT. Early evaluation can help identify the cause of your child’s symptoms and reduce the risk of long-term complications and provide your child with some long-term relief and comfort.
What are the most common ear infection symptoms in children?
Common ear infection symptoms include ear pain, fever, fussiness, trouble sleeping, difficulty hearing, drainage from the ear, or pulling at the ears in younger children. Acute otitis media occurs when an infection develops in the middle ear, often after a common cold or the flu. It’s important that you seek medical treatment right away as prompt treatment can help relieve your child’s pain and reduce the chance of recurring ear infections.
Why do some children get frequent ear infections?
Several risk factors can increase the likelihood of frequent ear infections, including young age, daycare attendance, allergies, exposure to secondhand smoke, recurrent colds, enlarged adenoids, and a family history of ear disease. Because children’s eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal than those of adults, fluid buildup in the middle ear occurs more easily, allowing an infection to develop.
Can allergies increase my child’s risk of sinus and ear infections?
Yes. Allergies can cause swelling inside the nose and block the eustachian tubes, making it more difficult for the ears and sinuses to drain properly. This can increase the risk of sinus infections, ear infections, and persistent congestion. Treating allergies may reduce inflammation and help prevent recurring infections. Our allergy center allows for needle free allergy skin testing and easy to use allergy drop therapy to prevent allergy in the most effective way.
How can I help prevent ear infections at home?
While not every infection can be prevented, you can reduce your child’s risk by encouraging good handwashing, limiting exposure to secondhand smoke, staying current on recommended vaccinations, and managing allergies. Helping your child drink lots of fluids during colds or the flu may also support recovery and keep mucus thinner as the infection clears.
Can untreated hearing loss affect my child's development?
Yes. Even temporary hearing loss caused by persistent middle ear fluid can affect speech, language development, classroom learning, and social interactions. If your child has hearing concerns or repeated otitis media, a comprehensive hearing evaluation can determine whether additional treatment is needed. Do not attempt to use any type of drops or herbal remedies unless approved by your physician as these can worsen symptoms.
What symptoms should never be ignored?
Parents should contact a doctor or healthcare provider if a child has severe ear pain, a high fever, swelling behind the ear, a stiff neck, worsening headache, persistent drainage from the ear, or symptoms that last longer than expected. These may be signs of a more serious infection that requires prompt treatment.
Are ENT procedures safe for children?
Yes. Most pediatric ENT procedures are performed on an outpatient basis using general anesthesia and have an excellent safety record. Whether your child needs ear tubes, a tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or another procedure, our team carefully evaluates your child’s health and explains every step of treatment, so families know exactly what to expect.
How do enlarged adenoids affect breathing and sleep?
Enlarged adenoids can block airflow through your child’s nose, causing chronic mouth breathing, snoring, noisy breathing, and poor-quality sleep. Some children also develop recurrent sinus infections, ear infections, or speech changes because enlarged adenoids interfere with normal airflow and drainage.
Can poor air quality make ENT symptoms worse?
Yes. Poor air quality, seasonal allergens, smoke, and other airborne irritants can worsen allergies and inflammation throughout the ear, nose, and throat. This irritation may increase congestion, cough, sore throat, and the likelihood of developing other infections, particularly in children with sensitive airways, asthma, or chronic ENT conditions.