The middle ear infection, or otitis media, happens when fluid builds up behind the eardrum. This fluid inhibits the movement of the eardrum and the three tiny bones in the middle ear that carry sound vibrations to the inner ear.
Typically, ear infections are temporary. However, repeated or recurrent infections can cause permanent hearing loss.
Ear Infections
Most people are familiar with the common cold, but they may not know that ear infections also affect hearing. An ear infection, or otitis media (OM), is a viral or bacterial infection of the middle ear. It can cause fluid and mucus to build up inside the ear. This can affect hearing and sometimes cause a fever.
In most cases, ear infections go away on their own or with medication. But in severe or chronic cases, a doctor should be consulted to handle the medical treatment. A physician or ENT can prescribe antibiotics and pain relievers to treat the symptoms of an ear infection. A physician can also order a tympanogram to check how the eardrum moves and an audiogram to see how well a person hears.
If a child has a lot of ear infections or fluid in the ears, they may need to be seen by an audiologist. The audiologist can recommend treatment such as using tubes to drain the fluid or placing a spacer in the eardrum to prevent it from swelling. They can also help treat the underlying condition that’s causing the infection.
While mild hearing loss is a typical symptom of an ear infection, it usually gets better once the fluid clears and the eardrum heals. But recurrent infections or permanent damage to the ear canal or other parts of the middle ear can lead to persistent hearing loss that doesn’t improve. In addition, hearing loss can delay speech and language development.
In severe or untreated cases of ear infections, the infection can spread to the bone behind the ear (mastoiditis) and cause pus-filled cysts. It can also spread to the membranes around the brain and spinal cord, a condition known as meningitis. This can be life-threatening for infants and children because it can damage their brain and nerves.
Ear Infection Symptoms
In the realm of bodily discomfort, few sensations rival the relentless throbbing that comes with an untreated ear infection. This type of ear infection, commonly known as middle ear infection or otitis media, happens when bacteria get trapped in the eustachian tube and multiply there. This triggers an immune response that leads to inflammation and a feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear, which prevents sound waves from passing through effectively to the eardrum. This usually causes a temporary hearing loss that resolves once the ear infection is cleared up.
Ear infections are more common in babies and toddlers than adults, as their eustachian tubes are smaller and it’s harder for fluid to drain out of the ears. Watch for signs that your child may have an ear infection, such as pulling on their ears or fussiness and irritability. If your child has a fever, that’s another sign of an infection.
Sometimes ear infections affect the body’s sense of balance, making you feel dizzy or off-balance. You might notice that you are tripping and falling more often, or have trouble concentrating. These symptoms typically improve once the ear infection clears up, although they might linger for a few weeks.
If the infection isn’t treated, it can spread to other parts of the ear and skull, including the mastoid bone that protrudes in the back of the head (mastoroidsitis) and to the membranes surrounding the brain (meningitis). Severe infections can even cause the eardrum to rupture or erode, which leads to permanent hearing loss.
Besides hearing loss, ear infections can also cause ringing in the ears and vertigo, which makes you feel like your surroundings are spinning. In rare cases, the infection can also affect your sense of taste and smell. If these symptoms persist, see your doctor immediately. You might need prescription eardrops or oral antibiotics to treat the infection. Then, once the ear infection clears up, you can take steps to safeguard your long-term hearing health. AARP’s National Hearing Test is one easy way to start. It’s a free, 10-minute test that can help you determine whether you need further evaluation.
Ear Infection Treatment
Symptoms of an ear infection include pain and fluid in the middle ear. Most ear infections clear up on their own within three days, especially in children. But if a child has a fever, a lot of drainage from the ear or trouble hearing, a doctor should check it out. The doctor may use a special flashlight called an otoscope to see inside the ear canal and eardrum. They might also get a sample of the fluid from the ear and test it to decide if certain types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are present. They might also order a computed tomography (CT) scan of the head to see if the infection has spread beyond the middle ear.
Home remedies can help ease discomfort. Applying a warm cloth to the affected ear or taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Some people find relief from putting a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in the ear canal and tilting the head to let the solution drain. A hairdryer on a cool setting can also help dry wet ears. Avoid putting cotton swabs or other objects in the ear canal because this can cause damage and push the infected fluid farther into the ear.
Children are more likely than adults to get ear infections. This is because their eustachian tubes don’t function as well and encourage fluid to gather behind the eardrum. They are also more likely to be exposed to illnesses and environmental irritants, such as secondhand smoke, that can lead to an ear infection. Chronic illness, such as asthma or cystic fibrosis, and immune deficiency can also raise the risk of ear infections.
If a child has repeated or persistent ear infections, they might need minor surgery to put small tubes in their ears. These tubes can relieve the pressure and improve their hearing. In addition, children who develop a torn eardrum may need to have it surgically repaired. Other ways to prevent ear infections include staying up to date with vaccines that protect against pneumonia, flu and other illnesses that can cause ear infections.
Ear Infection Causes
A bacterial or viral infection can lead to inflammation and fluid buildup in the middle ear. The middle ear has tiny bones that amplify sound, and the inner ear contains structures that convert sound waves to electrical impulses the brain can process.
The symptoms of an ear infection include pain, ear pressure and sometimes a dull ringing in the ears (tinnitus). A doctor can usually diagnose an ear infection by visual examination. They may also use an otoscope to see the eardrum and look for signs of swelling or fluid buildup. They will likely recommend a course of antibiotics.
Frequent episodes of ear infections or one lingering infection can lead to permanent hearing loss. The resulting condition is called sensorineural hearing loss, and it can affect all frequencies. In most cases, it occurs in the lower frequencies, though upper-frequency losses are also possible. This type of loss is often a result of a buildup of pus in the middle ear, which pushes against the eardrum and prevents it from moving as it should.
Children are particularly prone to ear infections, especially in the first two years of life. This is due to their shorter, less angled Eustachian tubes and the fact that they can more easily trap fluid in the middle ear than adults. Many children experience multiple bouts of ear infections before age seven, leading to persistent fluid buildup in the middle ear that can have long-term consequences for speech and language development.
The cause of an ear infection may vary, but most are caused by bacteria or viruses in the ear canal or the Eustachian tube that connects to the throat. Ear infections can also be the result of a buildup of wax or fluid in the ear canal, as well as allergies.
A bacterial ear infection is more likely to cause hearing loss, as the infection can spread to surrounding tissues and wreak havoc. Viruses, on the other hand, typically cause only temporary hearing loss or mild ringing in the ears.
