Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Earaches/Ear Infections:

1. How should I categorize and quantify the pain to help you understand its intensity?
2. What is the most likely cause of my earache?
   • Allergies?
   • Ear wax impaction?
   • Viral, bacterial or fungal infection?
     • Swimmer’s ear
     • Other outer ear infection
     • Inner ear infection
   • Damage to or dysfunction of the parts of the ear?
   • Damage to or tumors on the nerves affecting the ear?
   • Dental problems?
   • TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) syndrome?
   • Other?
3. How can I tell the difference between:
   • An ordinary earache and an ear infection?
   • An ordinary earache and one caused by damage or structural problems?
4. About ear wax:
   • Does the buildup of earwax contribute to infection?
   • Is the presence of earwax a danger to my health and/or hearing?
   • What causes earwax to build up?
   • How can I safely get rid of it?
   • How can I prevent the buildup of earwax?
5. About ear infections:
   • What type of ear infection is this?
   • Is it primarily in my middle ear or my outer ear?
   • How severe is the infection?
   • What is happening inside the ear when I have an ear infection?
   • How long after an ear infection can fluid linger in the ear?
     • How can I tell if this is happening?
     • When is it cause for concern?
   • Are ear infections contagious?
   • About swimmer’s ear: Are pool swimmers at greater or lesser risk than people who swim in open water?
   • Is it safe to fly with an ear infection?
   • Can ear infections lead to more serious conditions/illnesses?
     • Mastoiditis?
     • Meningitis?
     • Brain damage?
     • Perforated eardrum?
     • Hearing loss?
     • Other?
6. Why do I have recurring earaches?
7. Does the tendency to develop earaches and infections run in families?
8. Is immediate treatment necessary, or would we be wise to take a wait-and-see approach?
9. What treatment options should I consider?
   • Medications:
     • Eardrops? What kind?
     • Oral or topical antibiotics?
     • Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation?
     • Antihistamines or decongestants?
   • Alternative medicine/therapy?
     • Herbal supplements?
     • Chiropractic care?
     • Massage therapy?
   • Dental care?
   • Surgery?
10. How soon can I expect the treatment to give relief from the fever and/or pain?
11. What can I do to help alleviate pain in the interim?
    • Cold or warm packs?
    • Other?
12. What can I do to prevent or alleviate pain if I have to travel by plane?
13. Have you observed any significant damage to the bones, tissues or nerves of my ear?
14. Should I see a specialist?
15. What can I do to help prevent future earaches or infections?
16. About ear tube surgery: [More questions about surgery]
    • Why/when do you recommend the surgical placement of tubes in the ears?
    • Do tubes "cure" ear infections and/or earaches?
17. Especially for children:
    • If my infant has an earache, what symptoms might I observe?
    • What are some things that can increase a baby's risk for developing ear infections?
    • Does breastfeeding an infant provide protection against ear infections?
    • Does bottle-feeding an infant pose any risks for ear infections in an infant?
    • Does using a pacifier affect the ears when an infection is present?
    • Will my child's frequent ear infections contribute to delays in speech or learning and/or school performance?
    • Can ear infections be prevented by immunization?
    • What can I do to help my child sleep with an ear infection?
    • How long should I keep my child home from school or day care when he has an ear infection?
    • Should my child's ears be covered when he goes outside with an ear infection?
    • Will the use of a vaporizer or humidifier help prevent ear infections?
    • Will my child outgrow his/her propensity for earaches?