by Eveline Gan     IT SOUNDS like a harmless childhood ailment. However, a simple ear infection could possibly lead to hearing loss in babies and young children, warn medical experts.   Ear infections, or otitis media in medical lingo, are common in children under three. Global statistics show that by the age of three years, an estimated three quarters of all children will have had at least one episode of otitis media and more than one third will have had repeated infections.   In the early stages, the infection can be treated with antibiotics, said Dr Eng Soh Ping, director and consultant, of ASCENT Ear Nose Throat Specialist Group.   "But if left untreated or misdiagnosed, it can develop into acute otitis media (AOM) resulting in very serious life-altering complications for the young child, and all from just a simple middle ear infection that had not been detected early on," said Dr Eng.   Little Jack was one of them. For 18 months, the toddler grappled with on-and-off otitis media, which caused him to suffer mild hearing loss for high frequency sounds. Despite repeated doses of antibiotics, his condition did not improve.   "The amount of antibiotics he took in turn, affected his immune system. He was either vomiting or falling sick with throat and chest infections every other day. I was constantly worried about his falling ill again and my heart ached to see him not being able to play with the rest of the children," said Jack's mummy, Glynis Taylor, who moved to Singapore from the UK in 2008.   Typically triggered by a bacterial or viral infection, AOM can lead to a buildup of pus in the middle ear, which causes pain and fever. Children who are seriously ill with AOM become cranky, fussy eaters and cry incessantly. They may also constantly tug or rub their ears.       FLU CAN LEAD TO HEARING INFECTIONS   The recent spike in flu also led to several more cases of hearing infections among children in Singapore. On average, Dr Eng sees three to five cases of ear infections every month. This figure has increased by up to 50 per cent in recent weeks due to the increase in flu cases.   Explaining why colds can trigger ear infections, Associate Professor Henry Tan, head and senior consultant of the department of otolaryngology at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, said: "There is always a low level of bacteria throughout our body, but in a fluid environment, the bacteria tends to grow and can cause an infection in the middle ear. Left misdiagnosed or untreated, the condition can result in complications such as deafness and, consequently, early learning disability as a result of the loss of hearing during the critical growing up years."   Assoc Prof Tan observed that most parents often do not even know that their baby or very young child is stricken with otitis media or its more severe form, AOM. "This is partly because babies or very young children who are stricken with the condition will be unable to communicate their extreme pain and discomfort."   Today, parents have the option of vaccinating their baby as early as six weeks to against pneumococcal bacteria, which can cause AOM.   Last July, Jack underwent surgery to help him drain the pus from his ear. He recovered well after the surgery. Now three-and-a-half-years old, Jack has recovered from his ordeal. He attends a local preschool where he studies the Chinese language.   Recalling Jack's 18-month battle with otitis media, Glynis said: "Many mums don't even know what otitis media is. I found out the really hard way, and the trauma of 18 months was unbearable and at stages, devastating because of the fear of your baby having a hearing impairment from complications of an inner ear infection.   "I hope that by sharing my story, it can help prevent a similar experience in other families."           This article was featured in Today March 29, 2011. http://www.todayonline.com/Health/EDC110329-0000013/Mummy,-my-ear-hurts