When to take your child to an ENT
By Dr. Zainab Arsiwala, Fellowship-Trained Pediatric ENT Surgeon, DHA Licensed, Dubai | Medically Reviewed: June 2026
When To Take Your Child To An ENT: Signs Parents Should Never Ignore
It’s common for children to catch colds, have ear infections, and snore sometimes. Some of these symptoms persist, impact everyday functioning, or start to interfere with hearing, sleep, breathing, speech and development. Sometimes knowing when to take your child to an ENT can help identify problems that exist before they start and avoid complications in the future.
A pediatric ear, nose, and throat specialist focuses on conditions that affect a child’s ears, nose, throat, airway, hearing, and sleep. Because children are still growing and developing, ENT conditions often require a different approach than those seen in adults.
If you are wondering whether you need specialized ENT for children, this guide explains the most common signs that should prompt a visit to Dr. Zaianb Arsiwala, a fellowship-trained ENT specialist for kids.
Why would a child need an ENT specialist?
- Recurrent ear infections
- Hearing concerns
- Ongoing fluid in the ear behind the eardrum
- Tonsils and adenoids larger than usual
- Chronic nasal blockage
- Frequent sinus infections Snoring and sleep-disordered breathing
- Nosebleeds
- Airway disorders
- Congenital ENT conditions
Interesting Fact Research published by the American Academy of Otolaryngology highlights that hearing plays a critical role in speech and language development during early childhood. Even temporary hearing loss caused by persistent middle-ear fluid may affect communication skills during important developmental years. |
Common Signs Your Child Should See An ENT Specialist
1. Frequent Ear Infections:
Ear infections are among the most common childhood illnesses. A majority of children get at least one infection during the early years of life.
But it might be helpful to have an ENT assessment if your child has:
- Multiple ear infections occur in the first year of life
- Frequent ear infections that need multiple courses of antibiotics
- Ear pain that does not go away, even with treatment.
- Otoacoustic feedback relating to speech delay
- Recurrent eardrum perforations
Repeated infections can sometimes affect hearing and speech development if not addressed appropriately.
2. Persistent Fluid Behind the Eardrum
Sometimes fluid remains trapped behind the eardrum long after an infection has cleared.
Parents may notice:
- Reduced hearing
- Delayed speech development
- Repetition of information
- Challenges with concentration in the classroom
- Increased television volume
When fluid stays for over three months, it is often suggested that the child should be evaluated by a pediatric ENT specialist.
3. Hearing concerns:
Hearing loss, even if it is just a little bit, can impact language development, learning and interaction in the social world.
A child should be assessed if they:
- Never responds in the same way when called
- Frequently say “what?”
- Place one ear towards the sounds
- Have delayed speech development
- Have difficulties hearing in the classroom
An ENT evaluation is often combined with hearing testing to determine the cause of the problem.
When Snoring Becomes A Concern
Many parents assume snoring is harmless. Occasional snoring during a cold is common. Persistent snoring is different.
Seek ENT care for kids if your child experiences:
- Loud snoring most nights
- Restless sleep
- Mouth breathing during sleep
- Pauses in breathing
- Daytime tiredness
- Behavioral changes or difficulty concentrating
These symptoms may indicate enlarged tonsils, enlarged adenoids, or pediatric obstructive sleep apnea.
Sleep-Related Symptoms That Need Assessment
Symptom | Why It Matters |
Loud snoring | May indicate airway obstruction |
Mouth breathing | Can affect sleep quality and facial development |
Pauses in breathing | Possible sleep apnea |
Restless sleep | May reduce restorative sleep |
Daytime fatigue | Can affect school performance |
Poor concentration | Sometimes linked to sleep-disordered breathing |
Recurrent Tonsillitis And Throat Infections
Children frequently develop sore throats, especially during school years. However, repeated infections may require specialist review.
Parents should consider an ENT consultation when:
- Tonsillitis keeps returning
- Throat infections cause frequent school absences
- Symptoms interfere with eating or sleeping
- Enlarged tonsils affect breathing
An ENT specialist for kids can assess whether ongoing monitoring or treatment is appropriate.
Chronic Nasal Blockage And Mouth Breathing
A constantly blocked nose is not always caused by a cold.
Persistent nasal obstruction may be caused by:
- Enlarged adenoids
- Allergies
- Chronic sinus inflammation
- Structural nasal concerns
Signs include:
- Constant mouth breathing
- Noisy breathing
- Difficulty sleeping
- Nasal speech
- Frequent congestion
Some children whose breathing is interrupted for a long period of time may have a poor sleep quality and facial growth patterns.
Frequent sinus infections
Upper respiratory infections are a frequent occurrence in children, and if they have multiple sinus infections, further work-up should be considered.
In cases where:
- Symptoms are recurrent, multiple times annually
- Nasal congestion lasts for weeks
- Thick nasal discharge persists after treatment
- Facial discomfort develops
- Symptoms have an impact on school attendance
- Recurrent Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds are a very common occurrence in childhood and are frequently associated with dry nasal passages, allergies or mild irritation.
However, a medical assessment may be needed if:
- Nosebleeds occur frequently
- Bleeding is difficult to stop
- Episodes happen without an obvious cause
- Significant blood loss occurs
A pediatric ENT specialist can identify contributing factors and recommend treatment options when necessary.
Neck Lumps And Swellings
Many neck lumps in children are enlarged lymph nodes responding to infection.
However, specialist evaluation is recommended when:
- The lump continues growing
- It remains present for several weeks
- Skin over the lump changes color
- The swelling was present since birth
- The mass becomes painful or firm
Most causes are benign, but proper evaluation is important.
Airway And Breathing Concerns In Infants
Breathing concerns in infants should never be ignored. Parents should look out for signs of trouble if a baby develops:
- Noisy breathing
- Feeding difficulties
- Gasping, trouble breathing during feedings
- Persistent stridor
- Benign obstructive sleep apnoea causes poor weight gain
Some infants may have airway conditions such as laryngomalacia that benefit from specialized pediatric ENT evaluation.
Why Does Early ENT Evaluation Matter?
Early assessment helps:
- Protect hearing development
- Improve sleep quality
- Support speech and language development
- Reduce recurrent infections
- Address breathing concerns promptly
- Improve overall quality of life
Many ENT conditions can be managed successfully when identified before complications develop.
Why Do Families Trust Dr. Zainab Arsiwala for Pediatric ENT Care?
Dr. Zainab Arsiwala provides dedicated pediatric ENT care with an exclusive focus on infants, children, and adolescents.
Families often seek her expertise because of:
- Fellowship training in Pediatric ENT from Al Jalila Children’s Hospital
- Advanced pediatric airway training at CHUV, Switzerland
- Pediatric airway observership at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
- Dual DHA licensing in ENT and Specialist Pediatric ENT
- Experience managing routine and complex pediatric ENT conditions
- Strong focus on medical management before considering surgery
- Child-friendly consultations designed to keep children comfortable
- Experience caring for children with airway disorders, hearing concerns, sleep-related breathing problems, and syndromic conditions
Her approach centers on careful evaluation, clear communication with families, and treatment plans tailored to each child’s individual needs.
When In Doubt, Get It Checked
While there are many childhood ENT conditions that benefit from regular care, there are some that shouldn’t be overlooked. Specialist assessment may be beneficial for recurrent ear infections, hearing problems, chronic mouth breathing, recurrent tonsillitis, frequent nosebleeds and sleep-related breathing problems.
An early evaluation with Dr. Zainab Arsiwala can yield answers, reassurance, and timely, effective treatment, which helps your child’s long-term growth, speech, breathing, sleep, and hearing.
FAQs
When should I take my child to an ENT?
When symptoms persist, extend beyond normal, or interfere with speech development, hearing, breathing or sleep.
What are too many ear infections?
If more than 4 ear infections in 1 year, then it is usually a good idea to consult with an ENT specialist.
Do enlarged adenoids cause mouth breathing?
Yes, of course, enlarged adenoids can lead to mouth breathing.
If my kid snores every night, what should I worry about?
If sleep is interrupted, then nighttime snoring should be evaluated.
Do ear issues impact speech development?
Yes. Ongoing hearing difficulties may influence speech and language development.
When is ear fluid a problem?
If the fluid is present for longer than three months, or if the fluid has an effect on hearing.
Is it normal for children to have frequent nose bleeds?
Nosebleeds can occur from time to time, but if they happen often, they should be checked out.
A pediatric ENT consultant treats what?
Head and neck conditions such as ear, nose, throat, hearing, airway and sleep related conditions.
Should every child who is examined by an ENT have surgery?
No. Numerous conditions can be resolved with medical treatment and monitoring alone.
How does an ENT specialist diagnose sleep apnea in children?
Sleep related breathing disorders are through physical examination and in some instances would be advised a sleep study.
About the author
Dr. Zainab Arsiwala
Dr. Zainab Arsiwala is a fellowship-trained Pediatric ENT Surgeon in Dubai, holding dual DHA licenses in both ENT and Specialist Pediatric ENT, one of the few doctors in the region with this distinction.
She trained at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Dubai, with advanced airway observerships at CHUV (Switzerland) and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital (USA). She holds a Fellowship from the European Board of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (ORL-HNS) and a DNB in ENT.
Currently practising at Tarabichi ENT Institute and JTS Medical Centre, Dubai, she provides evidence-based, child-focused ENT care for conditions ranging from ear infections and hearing loss to complex airway and syndromic cases.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. For personalised advice, diagnosis, or treatment tailored to your condition, book a consultation with Dr. Zainab Arsiwala.
