Pediatric ENT

Pediatric ENT Services at Next Wave Kids

At Next Wave Kids, our Pediatric ENT specialists are dedicated to providing expert care tailored to your child’s unique needs.

We understand how ear, nose, and throat issues can impact your child’s health and daily life, which is why we offer comprehensive solutions for conditions such as chronic ear infections, sinus issues, snoring, sleep apnea, tongue-tie concerns, and feeding challenges.

Our advanced procedures and compassionate approach ensure your child receives the highest quality care in a comfortable, child-friendly environment.

Whether your child needs a minimally invasive procedure or a personalized treatment plan, we’re here to provide expert diagnoses and effective treatments, helping your child thrive.

Conditions We Treat

Ear Infections

Several different types of ear infections can present in kids...

Otitis Externa (swimmer's ear) affects the ear canal. Typical symptoms would include pain, swelling, and drainage. Usually, swimmer's ear can be sometimes be prevented with water avoidance and/or preventative ear drops. Once infected, though, prescription antibiotic/steroid drops are typically prescribed. In rare instances, a fungal infection can occur requiring in-office debridement and antifungal treatments.

Otitis Media (middle ear infection) is the most common type of infection for children in the first few years of life and affects the middle ear space, which is behind the ear drum. Typical symptoms include ear pain, fever, and diminished hearing. Short-term treatment options include oral antibiotics vs watchful waiting. Chronic or recurrent ear infections are often treated with tympanostomy tubes (ear tubes).

Vestibulitis (inner ear infection) is a very rare type of infection, usually viral in nature, and causes diminished hearing and intense dizziness.

Ear Surgery & Tubes

Historically, tympanostomy tubes (ear tubes) have been placed under general anesthesia in the operating room.

The Tula Procedure is an in-office treatment for ear infections that doesn’t require general anesthesia, allowing you to stay with your child throughout the process. Ear tubes can reduce infections, improve hearing, and enhance your child’s overall quality of life, offering a long-term solution for frequent ear problems.

Ear Drum Perforations

Perforations of the ear drum may occur due to trauma, infection, or from prior surgery. Sometimes perforations may be asymptomatic. Symptoms that sometimes occur include hearing loss, ear pain, and drainage. Treatment depends on duration and size of hole. Some perforations may heal over time while others remain present indefinitely. If a perforation is chronic, symptomatic, or considerably impacting hearing, surgical closure with a tympanoplasty may be recommended.

Preauricular Pits (Ear Pits)

Many children are born with ear pits as they represent incomplete embryologic development. Ear pits are typically benign and asymptomatic. Usually no treatment is necessary for ear pits. However, they become recurrently infected, in which case excision and closure l may be recommended.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

OSA in children commonly occurs secondary to large tonsils and/or adenoids. Some common signs of sleep apnea include snoring, pauses in breathing, restless sleep, frequent awakenings, bed wetting, sleep walking, or teeth grinding. Daytime symptoms include low energy, inattention, hyperactivity, mood changes, and (in severe cases) failure to thrive or high blood pressure. Children may be diagnosed with sleep apnea based on parental observations and clinical assessment or undergo an in-lab overnight sleep study for more formal assessment. In most cases, pediatric sleep apnea is managed with removal of tonsils and/or adenoids. Less commonly continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine may be considered.

Enlarged Tonsils

Tonsils are lymphoid tissue residing in the back of the throat. Enlarged tonsils may present with snoring, sleep apnea symptoms or may be observed in conjunction with recurrent tonsillitis. If enlarged tonsils occur with symptoms of sleep apnea, difficulty swallowing, or recurrent infection, surgical removal may be considered. At Next Wave Kids, we use advanced techniques like  coblation intracapsular tonsillectomy to remove enlarged tonsils and/or adenoid while minimizing surgical risks and recovery time.

Enlarged Adenoids

Adenoids are lymphoid tissue akin to tonsil that are found  in the back of the nose. If adenoids become enlarged, symptoms may include nasal obstruction, mouth breathing, snoring, sometimes to the point of sleep apnea. Because of the relationship between the adenoids and the eustachian tubes, enlarged adenoids can also affect the ears and cause middle ear infections or fluid. Additionally, adenoids can become infected, presenting as recurrent sinusitis in early childhood. Adenoids can not be assessed with a standard physical exam but can be visualized with a brief ion-office procedure called nasal endoscopy or with an X-ray of the neck. Treatment options are limited, and surgical removal (adenoidectomy) may be recommended when symptoms are severe.

Strep Throat / Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis refers to infection of the tonsils, usually related to either bacterial (e.g. Streptococcus) or viral causes. While it is common for children to have tonsillitis occasionally, recurrent or chronic tonsillitis may be managed with tonsil removal.

Tongue-Tie (Ankyloglossia)

Many babies are born with a tight band of tissue under the tongue. Many tongue ties are completely asymptomatic and may not require treatment.  In some infants, tongue ties restrict the upward motion fo the tongue necessary to generate suction and can cause issues with feeding including poor latch, maternal pain, inefficient feeds, and poor weight gain.  In older children, tongue ties can occasionally cause issues with speech, primarily related to difficulty with articulation. Some of these issues can be effectively managed with the help of lactation consultants and/or speech therapists. When symptoms are severe or persistent, frenulectomy can be performed in the office (in babies) or in the operating room under anesthesia (in older kids).

Other Oral Ties

In recent years, much attention has been given to oral ties or tight oral tissues, including tongue ties, lip ties, or more recently cheek (aka buccal) ties. In most instances, these structures represent normal anatomic variants and DO NOT require any treatment, procedure, or surgery. Laser treatment of these structures can cause unwanted pain and scarring, leading to wound-healing complications or even oral aversions and are NOT RECOMMENDED. In very rare instances, the upper labial frenum (aka "lip tie") is thickened to the point of causing irritation, bleeding, or dental issues and can be corrected with a plastic surgery technique known as a z-plasty.  

Sinusitis / Adenoiditis

Sinusitis refers to inflammation or infection of the sinuses and may be acute or chronic. Symptoms typically include drainage from the nose, congestion, headache, fever, and facial or dental pain. Acute infections can be treated with some combination of antibiotics, steroids, nasal sprays, or sinonasal irrigations. Chronic sinusitis can develop due to ongoing infection or be related to other issues like allergies, nasal polyps, or altered anatomy (e.g. deviated septum). In younger kids, the sinuses are minimally developed and sinonasal infections are most often related to infected adenoids (adenoiditis). If medical managment is unsuccessful, surgical management may be recommended in select cases.

Nosebleeds (Epistaxis)

Frequent nosebleeds are usually due to increased blood flow to the nose, thinning of the nasal lining (mucosa), and/or trauma. Seasonal allergies, dry air, or overuse of nasal sprays can contribute to these issues. In-office evaluation is important to rule out more serious causes of nosebleeds and to treat exposed blood vessels with nasal cautery when indicated. Long-term management involves allergy management, humidification of ambient air, and topical treatments focused on increasing moisture in the nose.

Nasal Trauma / Fractures

Significant trauma to the nose can lead to fracture of the nasal bone(s). Typical symptoms involve altered appearance of the nose and nasal obstruction. Early management involves intermittent use of ice to reduce swelling. Imaging (x-ray or CT scan) is usually not necessary unless there is trauma to other parts of the face. If there is concern for a fracture, the injury should be evaluated about 3-5 days later. If a fracture is present, a procedure called closed reduction can be performed under anesthesia within the first two weeks after the injury to reduce the nasal bones back into place.

Auricular Hematoma / Cauliflower Ear

Trauma to the ear can lead to a collection of fluid or blood beneath the skin of the ear, often requiring in-office drainage to prevent long-term damage to the ear cartilage (chondritis aka "cauliflower ear").

Neck Masses

There is a wide range of neck masses which can occur in the pediatric population. These lesions can vary widely in appearance and presentation. While many neck masses are benign and do not require treatment, others can lead to recurrent infections or be a sign of malignancy (cancer). Depending on the presentation and exam, imaging and/or surgical excision may be recommended.

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