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Children's ENT Care

Trusted ENT Care
for Your Child

From ear infections and ear tubes to tonsils, adenoids, and pediatric sinus problems — Capital ENT provides gentle, compassionate ENT care for children of all ages at four Central Texas locations.

Newborns to Teens
Board-Certified Specialists
Same & Next-Day Appts
Most Insurance Accepted
Compassionate Care for Kids

ENT Specialists Who Understand Children

Children are not simply small adults — their ears, noses, and throats have unique anatomy and unique needs. Our board-certified otolaryngologists have extensive experience diagnosing and treating the full range of pediatric ENT conditions, from the most common (ear infections, tonsillitis) to complex cases that require a specialist's touch.

We take the time to explain every diagnosis and treatment option in plain language, so you feel confident and informed — and we make every visit as comfortable as possible for your child.

  • Care for children from newborns through adolescence
  • Board-certified otolaryngologists with pediatric expertise
  • Minimally invasive procedures whenever possible
  • Comprehensive hearing evaluations for children
  • Coordination with your child's pediatrician
  • 4 convenient Central Texas locations
Newborns
0–12 mo
Hearing screening follow-up, tongue-tie, ear infections
Toddlers
1–4 yrs
Ear tubes, tonsils, adenoids, speech-related hearing loss
School Age
5–12 yrs
Sinus infections, allergies, snoring, sleep apnea
Adolescents
13–18 yrs
Deviated septum, chronic sinusitis, voice disorders
What We Treat

Common Pediatric ENT Conditions

Our specialists diagnose and treat the full range of ear, nose, and throat problems in children.

Ear Infections (Otitis Media)

Acute and recurrent middle ear infections are the most common reason children visit a pediatric ENT. We assess fluid in the ear, hearing impact, and whether ear tubes are appropriate.

Tonsils & Adenoids

Enlarged or chronically infected tonsils and adenoids can cause repeated throat infections, difficulty swallowing, snoring, and sleep apnea in children. Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) is one of the most common pediatric surgeries we perform.

Pediatric Sinusitis

Chronic sinus infections, nasal congestion, and postnasal drip are common in school-age children. We provide medical and surgical options tailored to each child's anatomy and age.

Hearing Loss in Children

Early identification of hearing loss is critical for speech and language development. We provide comprehensive pediatric hearing evaluations and audiologic testing to detect and address hearing problems at any age.

Pediatric Sleep Apnea & Snoring

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea in children can disrupt sleep, impair learning, and affect behavior and growth. The most common cause is enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which we can address surgically.

Nasal Obstruction & Allergies

Nasal blockage from allergies, enlarged adenoids, or structural causes can make breathing through the nose difficult. We identify the cause and offer medical and procedural solutions appropriate for children.

Tongue-Tie (Ankyloglossia)

Tongue-tie restricts tongue movement and can interfere with breastfeeding in newborns. A quick in-office frenotomy can resolve it with minimal discomfort.

Nosebleeds (Epistaxis)

Frequent nosebleeds in children are usually related to dry air, allergies, or minor blood vessel fragility in the nasal lining. We can evaluate the cause and offer cauterization when nosebleeds are frequent or severe.

Voice & Swallowing Disorders

Hoarseness, chronic cough, vocal nodules, and difficulty swallowing in children are conditions we evaluate and treat with a focus on minimally invasive approaches and voice therapy when appropriate.

Pediatric Procedures

Treatments We Offer for Children

We provide the full spectrum of pediatric ENT procedures using the most current, minimally invasive techniques.

Ear Tube Placement (Tympanostomy)

One of the most common surgical procedures in children. Small tubes are placed in the eardrums to drain fluid and prevent recurrent infections. Performed under brief general anesthesia, typically takes less than 15 minutes.

Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy (T&A)

Removal of the tonsils, adenoids, or both to treat recurrent infections, obstructive sleep apnea, or airway issues. Our surgeons use techniques that minimize pain and recovery time.

Pediatric Hearing Evaluation

Comprehensive audiometric testing to assess hearing in children of all ages. Critical for identifying hearing loss early and protecting speech and language development.

Newborn Hearing Follow-Up

Diagnostic evaluation for newborns who did not pass their newborn hearing screening, using age-appropriate testing methods to accurately assess hearing status.

Frenotomy (Tongue-Tie Release)

Quick in-office procedure to release a tight lingual frenulum in newborns with breastfeeding difficulties. Can provide immediate relief and is performed with minimal discomfort.

Pediatric Sinus Surgery

For children with chronic or recurrent sinusitis that has not responded to medications, minimally invasive endoscopic techniques can restore normal sinus drainage with rapid recovery.

Allergy Testing & Immunotherapy

In-house allergy testing and customized allergy shot or sublingual drop programs for children with allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, or allergy-driven ear problems.

Nasal Cauterization

Treatment for frequent, severe nosebleeds caused by fragile blood vessels in the nasal lining. A brief, in-office procedure that significantly reduces nosebleed frequency.

In-Office Ear Tubes — No OR Required

Hummingbird® Ear Tube Placement Under Local Anesthesia

Traditional ear tube surgery is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia — a significant concern for many families. Capital ENT now offers the Hummingbird Tympanostomy Tube System, an FDA-cleared device that allows ear tube placement in our office using only topical anesthesia applied directly to the eardrum.

The Hummingbird's patented One-Pass® technology combines the myringotomy incision and tube placement into a single step, completing the procedure in minutes. No fasting, no pre-op testing, no operating room — and parents can be present throughout.

  • No general anesthesia — topical numbing only
  • Performed in-office in under 5 minutes
  • Children return to normal activities immediately
  • 98.7% successful tube placement rate in clinical studies
  • FDA-cleared for children 6 months and older
  • Up to 65% cost savings vs. OR-based surgery
Learn About Ear Tubes
Hummingbird® Ear Tubes
98.7%
Successful placement in clinical studies
<5 min
Typical bilateral procedure time

Parents present throughout the procedure.

Intracapsular Tonsillectomy
Less Pain
Post-op pain vs. total tonsillectomy
Faster Recovery
Return to normal diet and activity

Tonsil capsule preserved — less tissue trauma.

Advanced Tonsil Surgery

Intracapsular Tonsillectomy with Coblation®

For children requiring tonsil removal, Capital ENT offers intracapsular tonsillectomy — a technique that removes the tonsil tissue while preserving the outer capsule. This is performed using the Coblation® system, which uses low-temperature radiofrequency energy to precisely remove tissue with minimal heat damage to surrounding structures.

Compared to traditional total tonsillectomy, the intracapsular technique consistently demonstrates less post-operative pain, faster return to normal diet, and lower rates of post-operative bleeding — important advantages for pediatric patients.

  • Tonsil capsule preserved — reduces raw tissue exposure
  • Significantly less post-operative pain reported by patients
  • Faster return to normal diet, often within days
  • Lower risk of post-operative hemorrhage
  • Coblation® uses low-temperature energy — less thermal injury
  • Appropriate for recurrent tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnea
Learn About Tonsillectomy
Know the Signs

When Should Your Child See a Pediatric ENT?

Your pediatrician may refer your child to us, but you can also schedule directly. Look for these signs.

Ear Concerns

  • 3 or more ear infections in 6 months
  • Fluid in the ear lasting longer than 3 months
  • Suspected or confirmed hearing loss
  • Failure to pass a newborn hearing screen
  • Speech delays that may be hearing-related
  • Ear pain, drainage, or a ruptured eardrum

Nose & Sinus Concerns

  • Chronic nasal congestion or runny nose lasting weeks
  • Recurring sinus infections
  • Frequent nosebleeds (more than once a week)
  • Suspected nasal obstruction affecting breathing
  • Seasonal or year-round allergy symptoms
  • Reduced or absent sense of smell

Throat & Sleep Concerns

  • Loud snoring or pauses in breathing during sleep
  • 5 or more throat infections (strep) per year
  • Difficulty swallowing or painful swallowing
  • Persistent hoarseness or voice changes
  • Mouth breathing instead of nasal breathing
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness or behavioral changes

Other Warning Signs

  • Tongue-tie affecting breastfeeding in newborns
  • Neck mass or swollen lymph nodes lasting weeks
  • Foreign object in the ear, nose, or throat
  • Persistent ear pulling or irritability in infants
  • Dizziness, balance problems, or vertigo
  • Referred by your child's pediatrician or family doctor
Parent Questions

Pediatric ENT FAQ

We see children of all ages — from newborns who need follow-up for a failed hearing screen to teenagers dealing with chronic sinusitis. There is no minimum age. If your infant, toddler, or child is having ear, nose, or throat issues, we welcome the opportunity to help.
The general guideline is 3 or more ear infections in 6 months, or 4 or more in a year. However, ear tubes are also considered when fluid persists in the ear for 3 or more months and is affecting your child's hearing, speech development, or quality of life — even without frequent infections. Our specialist will evaluate your child's specific situation and make a recommendation based on their history and exam.
It depends on your insurance plan. PPO plans typically do not require a referral and you can schedule directly. HMO and some managed care plans usually require a referral from your child's primary care physician or pediatrician before seeing a specialist. Our staff can help you verify your coverage requirements when you call to schedule.
Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) remains one of the most commonly performed procedures in children. It is recommended when a child has recurrent strep or tonsil infections, sleep apnea due to enlarged tonsils, or difficulty swallowing. Like any surgery, there are risks — the most significant being post-operative bleeding, which occurs in a small percentage of cases. Our surgeons use current techniques to minimize this risk and will discuss all considerations during your consultation.
Occasional light snoring in children can be normal, especially during a cold. However, loud, persistent snoring — particularly when accompanied by gasping, pauses in breathing, restless sleep, mouth breathing, or daytime sleepiness and behavior changes — may indicate obstructive sleep apnea. This is worth having evaluated. The most common cause in children is enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which is very treatable.
It depends on the procedure. Simple office evaluations, allergy testing, hearing tests, and some small procedures (like tongue-tie release in newborns) can be done while your child is awake. Surgical procedures such as ear tube placement or tonsillectomy are performed under brief general anesthesia at a surgical facility, with an anesthesiologist present. We will prepare you and your child for exactly what to expect before any procedure.
Reviewed by Dr. Latif Dharamsi, Board-Certified Otolaryngologist

Schedule Your Child's Appointment

Our compassionate ENT specialists are ready to help your child feel better. Same-day and next-day appointments are often available at our four Central Texas locations.

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