How to prevent ear infections? 如何预防耳部感染？

The ear is a self-cleaning organ and does not require any active cleaning. The ear only needs to be cleaned from outside. 

No object or fluid should be inserted or instilled into the ears, unless prescribed by a health professional.

问：我怎样才能让我孩子的耳朵保持清洁？

答：耳朵是自我清洁的器官，不需要任何主动清洁。只要清洁耳朵外部就可以了。没有卫生专业人员的处方，不要把任何东西插入耳朵或注入任何液体。

Pain in the ear can be caused by problems such as:

·         impacted cerumen (wax) in the ear;

·         acute infection in the ear canal;

·         acute infection of the ear drum; or

·         because of fluid in the middle ear.

In order to identify the problem, your child should be taken for an ear check-up. Ear pain should not be ignored as it can lead to serious problems.

问：为什么我的孩子耳痛？

答：造成耳痛的问题可能有：

·         耵聍（耳垢）栓塞；

·         耳道急性感染；

·         耳膜急性感染；

·         中耳积液。

为查明问题，应带孩子去做耳科检查。耳痛可能会导致严重问题，所以不应轻视。

Most ear infections can be prevented by taking good care of our ears. Some important things to remember are:

·         do not let dirty water enter the ear;

·         do not slap a child, especially over the ears, as it can damage the ear drum, thereby encouraging infections;

·         ensure early diagnosis of ear infections by staying vigilant for problems like pain in the ear, decreased hearing and wetness in the ear; and

·         educate children about not inserting anything into the ear such as pencils, erasers, hair-pins etc.

问：我如何才能预防孩子出现耳部感染？

答：对耳朵进行良好护理就能防止出现大多数耳部感染。其中应牢记的一些重要事项有：

·         不要让脏水进入耳朵。

·         不要拍打孩子，尤其是耳部，以免伤及耳膜。

·         对耳痛、听力减退和耳内潮湿等问题保持警觉，确保对急性耳部感染尽早做出诊断。

·         教育孩子不要向耳朵内插入任何物品，比如铅笔、橡皮、发卡等。

If your child complains of:

·         pain in the ear;

·         discharge from the ear;

·         hearing loss;

·         improper speech development;

·         if your child does not understand what you say properly.

Consult a doctor, as soon as possible.

问：耳部遇有问题时，我应在何时带小孩去看医生？

答：当孩子抱怨有以下问题时，应当尽早去看医生：

·         耳朵疼痛；

·         耳朵有流出物；

·         听力丧失；

·         言语能力发育不当；

孩子不理解你的适当话语。

The risk of hearing loss increases as sound is played at high intensity (volume) and for long durations. It has been shown that listening through earphones at 95% of maximum sound volume for 5 minutes (with most devices) continuously will damage hearing. To protect hearing, volume should be minimized and breaks should be taken while listening through ear/headphones.

问：我喜欢戴着耳机听高声音乐，这会损伤我的听力吗？

答：如果长时间播放高音量音乐，会加剧听力损失风险。事实证明，使用大多数装置，通过耳机以最大音量的95%连续收听5分钟，听力就会受损。如用耳机听音乐，为保护听力，应尽量降低音量，并应注意隔一段时间休息一下。

（来源：世界卫生组织）

统筹：宁可儿

美编：雷未明