My daughter has had one ear infection after another. When she gets an infection, she seems to have trouble hearing, but with medicine it always gets better. Still, I'm worried that these infections could lead to permanent hearing loss somewhere down the line. Could this happen? – Yasmine Ear infections are common in childhood. As with your daughter, some kids do have temporary hearing loss due to the build up of fluid in the middle ear, but it usually goes away with treatment. It's very rare, however, for kids to develop permanent hearing loss, even when they've had several ear infections. A child with frequent or chronic ear infections is at risk for permanent hearing loss only when damage has been done to the eardrum, the bones of the ear, or the hearing nerve. Since your daughter's hearing appears to return to normal after treatment for an ear infection, she's probably not at risk for permanent hearing loss. But if you're concerned, talk to your doctor about scheduling a hearing exam. If your daughter's ear infections continue to be a problem, the doctor might refer her to an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor), who may suggest ear tube placement to help reduce the number of ear infections she gets, and limit the hearing problems they may cause. Back to Articles Related Articles Dealing With Earwax Earwax helps protect the eardrum and fight infection. Parents shouldn't attempt to remove earwax at home, as doing so risks damage to the ear canal and, possibly, a child's hearing. Read More 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. Read More 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. Read More Hearing Impairment Hearing impairment occurs when there's a problem with or damage to one or more parts of the ear. Find out its causes and what can be done to help correct it. Read More Swimmer's Ear (External Otitis) Swimmer's ear is an infection of the ear canal that can be caused by different types of bacteria or fungi. Find out how to prevent or treat it. Read More How Will I Know if My Child Has Trouble Hearing? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More What Is an Ear Infection? A middle ear infection happens when germs like bacteria and viruses get in your middle ear and cause trouble. Read this article to find out more. Read More Swimmer's Ear You swam! You splashed! And now you have it: swimmer's ear. Read More Can I Prevent Ear Infections When My Child Swims? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Hearing Evaluation in Children 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. Read More Middle Ear Infections (Otitis Media) Ear infections are common among kids and, often, painful. Find out what causes them and how they're treated. Read More 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. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.