Health Library

In a September 5, 2000, report by MSNBC, it was stated that “Infants who use pacifiers continuously after six months of age are at higher risk of ear infections, according to researchers.” These findings come from a study conducted on more than 400 Finnish children at the University of Oulu. The researchers estimate that between 75 percent and 85 percent of children in Western countries habitually use pacifiers.

One possible explanation provided by the researchers for the link between pacifiers and ear infections is that sucking on a pacifier may disrupt the air pressure in the ear, thereby blocking proper drainage. “It is reasonable to assume that the effect may lie in an alteration in the pressure equilibrium between the middle ear cavity and the nasopharynx, which apparently impairs the functioning of the Eustachian tube.”

The Eustachian tube is the passage that connects the back of the nose to the middle ear. It assists with hearing and acts as a drain for the middle ear by opening when necessary to regulate air pressure. If the Eustachian tube becomes blocked, it may prevent proper drainage and result in infections.

The only recommendation given to parents by the researchers was to restrict pacifier use to moments when older babies are falling asleep.