why children lose their hearing and what we can do 197
If the discharge continues or returns, or if
antibiotic ear drops are not available:
• give antiseptic ear drops such as vinegar (see page 201) or povidone
iodine (betadine).
for all ages ����������������������������������������� 2 drops in the ear, 2 times a day
for 2 weeks
then give ������������������������������������������� 2 drops in the ear, 1 time a day (before
going to sleep), for several weeks or
months
Repeat the same treatment if infection and discharge occurs again. A
health worker or doctor can teach parents to clean out the discharge with
cotton wool before each dose of ear drops.
Keep all water out of the ear. Carefully dry the ear two times daily with
cotton wool or gauze for several weeks (until it remains dry).
Sometimes an operation is needed to repair the ear drum. This is done by
a specially-trained health worker in a hospital, usually when the child is
at least 10 years old.
Preventing ear infections
To prevent ear infections, breastfeed babies — for
up to 2 years if possible. Breast milk helps a baby
fight infection. Breastfeeding also helps strengthen
the muscles that keep the tubes between the throat
and middle ear open.
HIV/AIDS and breastfeeding
If a woman has HIV/AIDS, sometimes this disease can pass to a
baby through her breast milk. But if she uses formula and a bottle,
and does not have access to clean water, her baby is more likely
to die from diarrhea, dehydration, and malnutrition than from
AIDS. Only a mother can evaluate the conditions in her home and
community and decide what to do.
Babies older than 6 months have less danger of
dying from diarrhea because they are bigger and
stronger. A woman with HIV/AIDS who has breastfed
her baby should stop at 6 months and feed him with
other milks and foods. This way the baby will have
less risk of getting HIV/AIDS.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)