Dr Nguyen understands that repeated ear infections can be exhausting for families and concerning for a child's development.
Dr Nguyen's comprehensive approach combines evidence-based evaluation with a "conservative management first" philosophy. His expertise in grommets surgery offers excellent long-term outcomes when ventilation tubes are needed, always with a primary focus on protecting your child's hearing and speech.
Several factors contribute to repeated ear infections in children. The eustachian tube anatomy in young children is shorter and more horizontal, promoting fluid accumulation, whilst their developing immune systems are still learning to fight infection. Environmental factors including daycare exposure and second-hand smoke also increase infection risk.
Dr Nguyen's advanced specialisation draws from his multiple Paediatric rotations throughout his surgical training. He has developed comprehensive protocols that address both immediate infection management and long-term hearing protection.
When infections occur, Dr Nguyen employs advanced antibiotic management protocols. This can include culture-guided therapy to target specific bacteria, and prophylactic protocols, which are used selectively for specific high-risk children during vulnerable periods due to growing concerns about antibiotic resistance.
This involves strategies to reduce exposure to infection-causing bacteria and viruses, such as daycare hygiene strategies, eliminating second-hand smoke, and managing allergies.
Grommets are tiny tubes placed through the eardrum to ventilate the middle ear, allowing trapped fluid to drain and preventing the buildup that leads to infections.
This intervention can dramatically reduce infection frequency while protecting hearing.
In complex cases, Dr Nguyen may recommend an Adenoidectomy with Grommets.
This combined procedure removes the adenoids, which can habour bacteria and contribute to eustachian tube dysfunction, providing an enhanced success rate for preventing future infections.
The medical criteria are 3 or more episodes in 6 months, or 4 or more in 12 months. However, Dr Nguyen also considers severity, hearing impact, and family disruption when determining if specialist care is needed.
Many children do, typically by age 5-7. This happens because as a child grows, their Eustachian tube (the tube that drains the middle ear) becomes longer and more angled, allowing it to drain fluid much more effectively on its own. However, specialist treatment may be needed if infections are affecting development before this natural improvement occurs.
Grommets surgery is one of the safest and most successful procedures in paediatric ENT. The procedure is brief, complications are rare, and the benefits include immediate hearing improvement and a dramatic reduction in infection frequency.
Grommets typically function for 6-18 months before naturally falling out as the eardrum heals. Most children do not need them replaced.
Yes, with appropriate ear protection. Custom earplugs or headbands are typically recommended to prevent water from entering the middle ear during swimming and bathing.
Is your child constantly getting ear infections, missing school, and taking antibiotics? Are you concerned about their hearing development?
Dr Nguyen's evidence-based approach can break the infection cycle, protect your child's hearing, and restore your family's quality of life through treatment options tailored to your child's specific needs.
