Paediatric ENT Assessment & Surgery
Ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems are extremely common in children. While many conditions are mild and temporary, some can significantly affect hearing, breathing, sleep, speech development and overall wellbeing. Early specialist assessment can often prevent long-term problems and provide reassurance for families.
At Hampshire ENT Clinics, paediatric ENT care is led by Miss Ellie Sproson, Consultant ENT Surgeon, who has extensive experience in the assessment and treatment of children with both common and complex ENT conditions. She provides specialist care for infants, children and adolescents, combining advanced surgical expertise with a calm, family-centred approach.
Miss Sproson is able to see children of all ages (0–18 years) at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, where both consultation and surgery are available. Private consultations are also available at Medicana Winchester for young people aged 12 and above, with surgery available for patients aged 18 years and over.
Paediatric ENT consultations focus on understanding the child’s symptoms, development and overall health, with careful examination and discussion of treatment options tailored to each individual child.
Specialist Expertise in Paediatric ENT Care
Miss Sproson manages a wide range of paediatric ENT conditions affecting the ears, nose, throat and airway. Many of these conditions are very common in childhood and can affect hearing, sleep, speech development and general health.
Common conditions assessed include:
Recurrent ear infections and glue ear (otitis media with effusion)
Hearing loss related to middle ear disease
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids causing snoring or sleep disturbance
Recurrent tonsillitis and throat infections
Persistent nasal obstruction or chronic nasal symptoms
Paediatric sinus problems
Voice and airway conditions in children
Neck lumps and congenital ENT conditions
Careful evaluation allows the most appropriate management plan to be developed, which may involve monitoring, medical treatment or surgical intervention.
Comprehensive Assessment for Children
Children often present with symptoms that affect hearing, speech development, breathing or sleep. Paediatric ENT assessment is designed to be thorough but child-friendly.
Consultations may include:
Detailed discussion of symptoms with parents or carers
Examination of the ears, nose and throat
Hearing assessment where appropriate
Review of sleep or breathing symptoms
Discussion of development, speech and general health
This holistic approach helps identify the underlying cause of symptoms and ensures treatment is tailored to the child’s needs.
Paediatric ENT Surgery
When surgery is required, procedures are performed using modern, minimally invasive techniques designed to ensure safety, comfort and rapid recovery for children.
Common paediatric ENT procedures include:
Grommet insertion to treat glue ear and improve hearing
Adenoidectomy for nasal obstruction or recurrent ear infections
Tonsillectomy for recurrent infections or sleep-disordered breathing
Combined tonsil and adenoid surgery for obstructive symptoms
Treatment of nasal obstruction or sinus conditions in children
Paediatric ENT surgery for patients aged 0–18 years is performed at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, where specialist paediatric anaesthetic and nursing teams are available to provide safe care for younger patients.
High-Quality Care in a Child-Friendly Environment
Children benefit from treatment in environments specifically designed for paediatric care. At Queen Alexandra Hospital, paediatric ENT surgery is supported by experienced teams who regularly care for infants, children and adolescents.
The focus is always on:
Safe, modern surgical techniques
Minimising discomfort and recovery time
Clear communication with parents and families
Providing reassurance and support throughout the treatment process
Multidisciplinary Paediatric Care
Many paediatric ENT conditions benefit from collaboration with other specialists. Miss Sproson works closely with professionals including:
Audiologists
Speech and language therapists
Paediatricians
Respiratory and sleep specialists where required
This multidisciplinary approach allows children with more complex problems to receive coordinated, comprehensive care.
Personalised Advice for Families
Not every child with ENT symptoms requires surgery. Many conditions improve naturally over time, and part of specialist paediatric care is recognising when observation or medical treatment is the most appropriate approach.
During consultation, parents are provided with clear information about:
The likely cause of their child’s symptoms
Whether treatment or monitoring is recommended
Potential benefits and risks of surgery if required
Expected recovery and long-term outlook
The goal is always to support healthy development, comfortable breathing, good hearing and quality sleep, helping children thrive both at home and at school.
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Miss Sproson sees children of all ages from birth to 18 years. She also sees Adult patients for voice disorders.
Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth – consultation and surgery for children aged 0–18 years
Medicana Winchester – private consultations for young people aged 12 and above
If consultation occurs at Medicana Winchester and surgery is required (age 12-18), this can be performed at the Queen Alexandra Hospital
Work is currently underway to see and operate on children (0-18 years) of all ages at Medicana Winchester. This is likely to occur in the Summer of 2026.
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Parents often seek specialist advice if their child has:
Persistent or recurrent ear infections
Glue ear or hearing concerns
Snoring or disturbed sleep
Recurrent tonsillitis or sore throats
Mouth breathing or blocked nose
Speech delay associated with hearing problems
Neck lumps or unusual swelling in the neck
Drooling
A consultation helps determine whether symptoms are part of normal childhood development or require treatment. description
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Glue ear occurs when fluid collects behind the eardrum, reducing hearing. Signs may include:
Asking for things to be repeated
Turning the television volume up
Speech or language delay
Poor attention in noisy environments
Recurrent ear infections
Hearing tests are often required to confirm the diagnosis.
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For children seen through Queen Alexandra Hospital, hearing tests are usually carried out at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester, which hosts the regional paediatric audiology service.
The audiology team specialises in hearing assessment for babies, children and adolescents, ensuring accurate testing using age-appropriate techniques.
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Not always. Many children improve naturally as the middle ear develops.
Treatment options may include:
Monitoring hearing over time
Managing contributing factors such as infections or allergies
Grommet insertion if hearing loss persists or affects development
The decision depends on hearing levels, symptoms and the child’s age.
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Grommets are tiny ventilation tubes placed in the eardrum during a short procedure. They help drain fluid from the middle ear and improve hearing in children with persistent glue ear.
The operation is usually quick and children typically go home the same day.
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Snoring is common in children, but persistent snoring can sometimes indicate sleep-disordered breathing, often due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
Signs that specialist assessment may be helpful include:
Loud or regular snoring
Pauses in breathing during sleep
Restless sleep
Daytime tiredness or behavioural difficulties
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Surgery may be recommended when:
A child has recurrent severe tonsillitis
Enlarged tonsils or adenoids cause breathing or sleep problems
Persistent ear infections or glue ear are related to enlarged adenoids
Each case is assessed individually, and surgery is only recommended when the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.
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Yes. Surgery for children is performed in specialist hospital settings with experienced paediatric anaesthetists and nursing teams.
Procedures such as grommet insertion, adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy are among the most commonly performed operations in children and are generally very safe when carried out in appropriate centres.
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Recovery depends on the procedure:
Grommets – children usually recover quickly and return to normal activity within a few days
Adenoidectomy – mild discomfort for several days
Tonsillectomy – sore throat for around 1–2 weeks
Parents receive clear guidance on pain relief, diet and when children can return to school.
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For self-pay consultations, parents can refer themselves without referral.
For insurance referrals, children can be referred by:
GPs
Paediatricians
Other specialists
Please check with your insurance company.
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The consultation usually involves:
A detailed discussion with parents about symptoms and development
Examination of the ears, nose and throat
Review of hearing or sleep symptoms
Planning further tests or treatment if required
The aim is to provide clear advice and reassurance while ensuring the best care for your child.