Pediatric ENT visits happen for lots of reasons, including childhood hearing loss, allergies, frequent sinus infections, and swallowing disorders. Whatever the reason for your child’s visit, if it’s their first time visiting an ear, nose, and throat specialist, they’re probably at least a little nervous.
With offices in Salt Lake City, Murray, Draper, Tooele, and West Jordan, Utah, ENT Specialists is a top-ranked provider of ear, nose, and throat services for kids throughout Utah and the surrounding region. Not only does our team provide top-quality, caring pediatric ENT care, but we also know how to help kids feel more at ease with their visit. Here are four tips you can use to make sure your child is prepared for their upcoming appointment.
Whether you’re a child or an adult, most nervousness about the unknown comes from not knowing what to expect. Before your child’s office visit, take some time to familiarize yourself with what happens at an initial ENT appointment, paying attention to why your child is visiting. You can find a lot of information right here on our site under the services category or in our blogs. And of course, you can always call the office if you have questions.
Before your child’s visit, keep a record of any symptoms you notice. In addition, make a note of what led to your child’s symptoms and any changes you or your child have noticed in their symptoms over time or in different environments. All of this information can help our team determine which tests and evaluations to use to help your child feel better.
Most kids are wary of seeing a new doctor, so setting their mind at ease before their visit can help tremendously in relieving their anxiety. Explain clearly why they’re visiting, as well as the goal of the visit — for instance, to find relief for their allergy symptoms or to find out why they’re having difficulty hearing.
Most first visits are simple evaluations and tests. Explain to your child that the doctor will use a lighted instrument to look in their ears, throat, and nose. Our office also features a special booth to test hearing and a scanner to take detailed images of the ears and sinuses. Let your child know that these are painless evaluations to help us help them feel better.
Our team works with kids all the time, and we encourage children to ask questions or discuss their concerns or worries. Allowing your child to participate in their visit can go a long way toward helping them feel more in control and less nervous. It can also help them play a more proactive role in whatever treatment we prescribe.
ENT problems can have long-term effects on your child’s health, their school performance, and their ability to socialize with their friends and peers. To learn about the pediatric ENT services we provide or to schedule an evaluation for your child, book an appointment online or over the phone with the team at ENT Specialists today.
