Department of Otolaryngology

Conditions We Treat

Ear Aches and Infections

How Do Ear Infections Occur?

Otitis media, or more commonly known as an ear infection, is the inflammation of the middle ear. Inflammation occurs in the middle ear as a result of an infection. It can occur in one or both ears. Otitis media is the most frequent diagnosis in children, and it's the most common cause of hearing loss in children. Although most common in children, it can also affect adults.

A middle ear infection can be very serious because of the severe ear ache and hearing loss that it can cause. Otitis media is also serious because the infection can spread to nearby areas of the ear, especially the mastoid, and may cause damage if not treated.

Symptoms of Ear Aches and Infections

Infants and toddlers:

• Pulling or scratching at the ear
• Hearing problems
• Crying, irritability
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Drainage from the ear

Young children, adolescents and adults:

• Ear ache
• Feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear
• Hearing problems
• Dizziness, nausea or vomiting
• Drainage from the ear
• Fever

Causes of Ear Infections

Ear infections are caused by blockage of the eustachian tube due to a cold, allergies or an upper respiratory infection. Bacteria or viruses in the ear lead to build-up of fluid (pus, mucus) behind the eardrum. This infection is called acute otitis media.

Ear infections may occur as a result of chronically infected adenoids and tonsils. If this becomes a problem, the doctor may recommend that you have your adenoids and/or tonsils removed.

Diagnosing Ear Infections

If you experience any of the symptoms of an ear infection, call the doctor. The doctor will examine your ear with an otoscope to check for redness and fluid in or behind the eardrum. Two other tests may be performed to check for infection include:

• Audiogram - a test that uses tones at various pitches to test for hearing loss
  
  
• Tympanogram - measures air pressure in the middle ear to see how well the eustachian tube is working and how well the eardrum can move

Treatment Options

Medication

Most often the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to fight the ear infection and make the earache go away. In order for the medication to work properly, antibiotics must be taken for the full time that the doctor has prescribed.

Other medications that the doctor may prescribe include antihistamines (for allergies), decongestants (to break up the mucus, congestion) and broth. The doctor may prescribe ear drops to ease the pain of an earache or to reduce pain/fever. Call your doctor if your symptoms don't improve.

Surgery

Most often, ear infections clear up with medication, but when medical treatment doesn't work, surgery may be required. More information about ear surgery