Ear infections in infants and preschoolers can cause mild or moderate temporary hearing loss, which may in turn affect a child's ability to understand and learn language. Noting that providing children with proper medical treatment for ear infections or middle ear fluid is important in preventing possible problems with language development, this booklet is designed to inform parents and caregivers about how ear infections and middle ear fluid might affect a child's language and what they can do to help. The booklet discusses what it means when a child has an ear infection or middle ear fluid (called otitis media); how to identify symptoms and provide treatment; how ear infections can affect hearing and how to recognize if a child has a hearing loss; how ear infections can affect speech and language learning and where to go for help; and what milestones to look for in a child's language development from birth to age five. The booklet also contains tips for ear infection prevention, suggestions for helping a child learn language and early literacy skills, and resources for more information and help. (HTH)