How to get the most from your  ear infection appointment

Here are some suggestions for making the most of your ear infection appointment.  

For repeated episodes of ear infections, key information your doctor will want to know include:

How many infections have you (or your child) had in the past year?   ____________

Which ear get infected?     Left / Right / Usually one or the other / Usually Both

Have you (or your child) had ear surgery (including tubes) in the past?   Y / N

Have you (or your child) had hearing loss with these ear infections?       Y / N

Have you (or your child) had fluid draining from the ear canal with these ear infections? Y / N

Have you (or your child) had dizziness with these ear infections?            Y / N

What medications have been used on these ear infections?

ofloxacin (Floxin) amoxicillin

ciprofloxacin amoxicillin/clavulanate

ciprofloxacin/dexamathasone (Ciprodex) fluconazole (Diflucan)

clotrimazole 

Bring with you any potentially relevant healthcare information.  If you have seen anyone else for this or a related condition, the reports and images from prior work may well not be readily available to Dr. Lansford during your visit, unless they are from Christie Clinic, Carle, or OSF.

Unless they are coming from Christie Clinic, Carle, or the OSF system, please hand-carry to your appointment the following items:

    • Any prior operative or clinic notes relevant to this condition

    • Any prior hearing tests (audiograms)

You can get these from the medical records department of the hospital or clinic where you were seen previously.

Bring a list of your current medications (prescription and non-prescription) and their doses.  If it is easier, you could bring in your current medications.

Bring your medical insurance card, your photo I.D., and be prepared for your copay.

Also, in case you have to wait, it is a good idea to bring with you something to do, such as your phone or a book.  Bring a notepad and paper if you might wish to take notes.  Bring a family member or friend if you wish to have another “set of ears."