Michelle Pentz, MS, CCC-SLP, a speech therapist at the Pineville office of Child and Family Development, relies on American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) to stay informed about the latest studies and supports for pediatric therapy.  She works regularly with kids with otitis media, and sometimes tube placements, related speech and language delays as well as hearing loss.   

According to this ASHA article, a child with otitis media should be followed by medical professionals, including: 

• A physician should handle the medical treatment. Ear infections require immediate attention, most likely from a pediatrician or otolaryngologist (ear doctor). 

• An audiologist’s evaluation will assess the severity of any hearing impairment, even in a very young or uncooperative child, and will indicate if a middle ear disorder is present.

• A speech-language pathologist measures your child’s specific speech and language skills and can recommend and/or provide remedial programs when they are needed.

Read more about speech therapy services related to ear infections here. 

Michelle Pentz and our other licensed speech therapists are available to share their expertise.