Recurrent ear infections. Why and what to do?

[Getouterear]

DS - 11 - has started to have ear problems. One ear in particular keeps getting blocked, causing hearing problems and pain and a general feeling of being unwell.

Why is this happening and what can be done to help in the short term to clear the issue and to stop it recurring longer term? We're getting nowhere at the local surgery.

Has he tried an Otovent (you can buy from Amazon / Boots etc)? Using it regularly can help drain fluid from the ears, it helped sort DD's glue ear out. It doesn't help in all cases, but as it isn't expensive and there aren't downsides to trying it's definitely worth a go. Beyond that, I'm not sure there's anything other than asking for a referral to ENT, and given current waiting lists I'm not sure you'd get very far if it's 'just' hearing loss in one ear.

No I haven't heard of the Otovent but it looks like it could be worth a try. Thanks for the tip.