Recently, three-year-old Bei Bei has been turning up the TV volume excessively while watching. He also appears distracted and doesn't respond when gently called by name. Bei Bei's mother brought him to the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine for examination. Professor Zhu Zhenhua, Director of the Department of Otolaryngology, stated: Bei Bei has developed secretory otitis media, also known as exudative otitis media.In its early stages, secretory otitis media may present no symptoms and cause no hearing loss. However, if left untreated, the condition can worsen progressively and potentially lead to deafness. Childhood Hearing Impairment Incidence Rises with Age March 3rd marks China's 17th "Ear Care Day," with this year's theme being "Focus on Children's Hearing Health."According to officials from the China Disabled Persons' Federation, China has over 220 million children aged 0 to 14. The Second National Sample Survey on Persons with Disabilities indicates a current disability rate of 2.11% for hearing impairment. Based on this, it is estimated that over 4.6 million children aged 0 to 14 in China have hearing disabilities.
Professor Zhu Zhenhua, Director of the Department of Otolaryngology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, explained that the incidence of congenital hearing impairment in newborns ranges from 1‰ to 2‰. As children age, the prevalence of permanent hearing impairment continues to rise, reaching 2.7‰ by age 5 and as high as 3.5‰ during adolescence.
46% of children experience three or more episodes of acute otitis media before age 3.
It is understood that childhood hearing loss primarily stems from two categories: congenital factors and acquired influences.
Congenital hearing loss includes genetic factors: couples with a family history of deafness or who have previously given birth to a deaf child face an increased risk of neonatal hearing loss.Additionally, maternal factors during pregnancy can cause hearing impairment in children, including viral infections in early pregnancy (such as rubella or cytomegalovirus), use of ototoxic medications (e.g., gentamicin, kanamycin), and high-risk pregnancies (e.g., diabetes, hypothyroidism).Therefore, to prevent congenital hearing loss in newborns, preconception genetic screening should be conducted, viral infections and ototoxic medications should be avoided during pregnancy, and high-risk pregnancies require enhanced monitoring.Incidence of otitis media gradually increases after the neonatal period (28 days). Studies report that at least one episode of otitis media occurs in children under 3 months old. By age 1, nearly two-thirds of children experience at least one episode of acute otitis media. By age 3, 46% of children have had three or more episodes of acute otitis media.
Six primary causes of otitis media
Professor Zhu Zhenhua explains that otitis media primarily stems from six major causes.
(1) Acute otitis media is an acute purulent inflammation of the middle ear mucosa. Inflammation in the throat and nose following a cold spreads to the Eustachian tube, triggering otitis media.
(3) Avoid swallowing water while swimming to prevent it from entering the nasopharynx and causing otitis media.
(4) If a tympanic membrane perforation occurs due to trauma, refrain from instilling any liquid to avoid interfering with wound healing.
(5) When infants or young children feed in a supine position, milk may enter the middle ear through the Eustachian tube. This occurs because the Eustachian tube in young children is relatively straight, short, and wide.
(6) Prolonged use of headphones to listen to loud music, such as rock, can also lead to chronic otitis media if the exposure is extended.
Director Zhu Zhenhua states:The peak incidence periods for acute otitis media in children are between 6 and 11 months of age and between 4 and 5 years of age. Research indicates that secretory otitis media following acute otitis media typically persists for an average of 40 days. Due to young children's inability to articulate symptoms, parents often overlook signs. When children cry or fuss, parents may bring them to pediatricians, who sometimes fail to recognize the condition, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.Middle ear infections during childhood can leave persistent changes in the eardrum and middle ear that are difficult to treat, significantly impacting a child's future hearing, speech, and cognitive development. Therefore, early detection and treatment are crucial for preventing childhood hearing loss.
Beyond middle ear infections, numerous other factors can cause childhood hearing loss. Director Zhu Zhenhua recommends the following preventive measures:
(1) Conduct regular hearing screenings: Hearing screenings for children should occur between ages 0 and 6, with particular emphasis on 6, 12, 24, and 36 months of age.
(2) Ensure proper breastfeeding and bottle-feeding techniques to prevent milk aspiration. Promptly and gently clear milk spillage from infants.
(3) Avoid self-cleaning the external ear canal to prevent injury.
(4) Prevent water inhalation or entry into the ears during bathing or swimming by using nose clips and earplugs.
(5) Maintain ear hygiene by gently cleaning the outer ear with a soft cloth and mild soap solution, avoiding the ear canal itself.
(3) Avoid self-cleaning the external ear canal to prevent injury.
(4) Prevent water entering the ears during bathing or swimming by using nose clips and earplugs.
(5) Stay away from loud or prolonged noise environments and avoid using headphones.
(6) Individuals with a family history of ototoxic drug-induced deafness should proactively inform their doctor.

(7) Avoid head injuries and foreign objects in the ear canal.
(8) Enhance physical fitness to reduce susceptibility to infectious diseases. Monitor hearing changes if affected by mumps, meningitis, or similar illnesses.
Seek prompt medical attention if any of the following abnormalities occur:Discharge or unusual odor from the external auditory canal; frequent ear-patting or scratching; symptoms like ear itching, pain, or fullness; delayed response to sounds; signs of delayed speech development.
Traditional Chinese medicine offers treatments for ear discomfort, including acupuncture, auricular acupressure, oral herbal remedies, and topical medications. Director Zhu Zhenhua also advises parents to assist children with complementary massage therapies:
Eardrum Massage: Place the middle finger (or index finger) at the outer ear canal opening and gently press. Repeat 15–30 times on each side, three times daily. Suitable for patients experiencing simultaneous ear fullness or pressure.
Heavenly Drum Technique:Regulate breathing. Press both palms firmly against the ears. Place the index, middle, ring, and little fingers symmetrically across the sides of the occipital region, with the middle fingers touching. Curl the index fingers upward and stack them over the middle fingers. Then forcefully slide the index fingers down from the middle fingers, striking the back of the head with a loud, clear sound resembling drumbeats.Begin with 24 repetitions using the left hand, followed by 24 with the right hand, concluding with 48 simultaneous strikes using both hands;
Tinnitus Relief Exercise: Sit upright with one leg extended and the other bent. Extend both arms horizontally, palms facing forward as if pushing a door. Turn the head left and right 7 times each;
Fortress-Building Method: Place both hands over the auricles, rubbing them up and down. Each session may last approximately 15 minutes.