Pediatrics

When should I take my child to an ENT specialist?

ENT physicians, or otolaryngologists, specialize in conditions that affect the ear, nose, throat, or neck. Any time your child has an issue with their sinuses, hearing ability, breathing, language development, or other related problem, an ENT specialist is the most qualified medical professional to handle their care.

You can always start with your child’s primary care provider to coordinate their care. Many times a pediatrician provides a referral to an ENT physician when they think a specialist should assess your child’s condition.

What pediatric concerns do you help with?

A pediatric ENT specialist provides age-appropriate care for children with medical conditions. This type of doctor recognizes and addresses the anatomical differences between children and adults.

An otolaryngologist is where you take your child for tonsil and adenoid removal, tubes in their ears, and similar childhood procedures.

A pediatric ENT specialist helps with:

• Infant tongue-tie issues
• Recurrent ear infections
• Chronic nose bleeds
• Hearing problems
• Facial injuries
• Allergies
• Sleep apnea
• GERD, or acid reflux
• Tinnitus
• Sinusitis
• Tonsillitis

What screenings do you recommend for children?

Elite ENT recommends hearing tests for all newborns before they leave the hospital or within a month of birth. Treatment for hearing impairments works best when your doctor identifies and treats hearing loss early.

Hearing loss can also develop after childbirth, so it’s important to have your child’s hearing tested during the appropriate well-child checks. If you have any additional concerns about your child’s hearing and language development, you can always contact Elite ENT for a formal evaluation.

What can we expect at our first pediatric ENT appointment?

During your first appointment at Elite ENT, Dr. Vazquez takes your child’s full medical history. He asks detailed questions about their condition, previous treatments, and daily habits. He may also ask about your family’s history of certain disorders.

Next, Dr. Vazquez performs a physical exam to evaluate your child’s condition. He checks inside the ears, mouth, nose, and eyes and feels their neck glands. If he suspects an issue, he may order further testing, such as CT scans and blood tests.

After he evaluates your child, he discusses treatment options with you. Dr. Vazquez starts with conservative treatments and follows up with you to see how they’re working before advancing to more progressive treatments.

If your child has an issue that affects their ear, throat, or nose, contact Elite ENT to schedule an exam.