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Middle ear infections
There are a number of infections that can affect people’s ears.
One of the most common is a middle ear infection, especially in younger children. While anyone can suffer from an ear infection at any age, many happen in children aged between six and 18 months old, particularly in boys.
Symptoms of middle ear infections
Apart from earache, look out for dulled hearing or a temporary sense of hearing loss, hearing problems or deafness in one ear. Here are some of the main symptoms you might experience if you’re suffering from a middle ear infection:
- Itching in your ear
- High temperature
- Discharge from your ear
- A red or swollen ear canal
- Ear fullness
- Dry skin or eczema in or around your ear canal
- Pain (earache), which may get worse when you push or pull your ear
- Temporarily dulled hearing – if the swelling is enough to block your ear canal
You should speak to your GP if you or your child are suffering from any of these symptoms.
Middle ear infections in children
If you’re a parent, it’s important to be aware of these symptoms as middle ear infections are common in children.
Although not a perfect indicator of otitis media, since these symptoms overlap with other illnesses, recognising these middle ear infection symptoms could help you get the medical help you need quickly.
Look out for your child rubbing, tugging or pulling at their ear, as well as them being irritated or having a high temperature. A runny nose, coughing, poor appetite, restless nights and being unresponsive to softly spoken words and quiet sounds are also signs that your child could have a middle ear infection. This final symptom, along with a loss of balance, are likely to be the clearest indications of otitis media.
Middle ear infection complications
It’s not very common for a middle ear infection to cause complications.
But those that do occur can be difficult and serious. In some instances, the infection can spread to the bones beneath the ear, a condition called mastoiditis. In rarer cases still, the infection can spread to the membranes which protect the spinal cord and brain, which is meningitis.
These complications are rare, but it’s worth keeping a careful eye on your child to make sure the middle ear infection passes quickly.
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Middle ear infection FAQs
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A doctor will look inside your ear as well as asking about your symptoms and health history. They might ask you to move your jaw to see whether you’re in pain when you do. And they’ll examine parts of your face and skull close to your ear/ear pain for any noticeable problems.
Some infections don’t clear up, or they reoccur, so the doctor might take a swab of any discharge coming from your ear. This will then be analysed to see whether it’s a fungal or bacterial infection.
A lot of middle ear infections will clear up quickly but a persistent infection that doesn’t respond to treatment might mean that your doctor refers you to a specialist ear, nose and throat (ENT) consultant.
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Most middle ear infections clear up within a matter of days, so there’s not much need for medication.
If you’re in pain, paracetamol or ibuprofen can provide pain relief. It is important to always read the dosage information, particularly for children. Many parents feel more comfortable in receiving professional medical help and guidance.
In more serious cases of middle ear infections, antibiotics might be used.
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The middle ear sits behind the eardrum and contains three tiny bones that are essential in bringing sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.
Most middle ear infections are thought to be caused by a viral infection or through bacteria.
It is very common for an infection of the respiratory tract, which includes the lungs, throat and sinuses to cause a middle ear infection. This means that common illnesses such as the cold or the flu can have an impact on the middle ear.
The reason why young children suffer from more middle ear infections than adults is simply that their middle ear is narrower and a lot smaller. So it’s more likely that an infection will affect them.
Parents with young children should be aware that there are many factors that will increase the likelihood of your children suffering from a middle ear infection. Attending a nursery or day-care centre increases their risk since they’ll be mingling with more children and will be more likely to pick up an infection. Children who have not been breastfed and children who experience passive smoking are also more likely to run the risk of a middle ear infection.
Other types of ear infections
Outer ear infections
Outer ear infections (otitis externa) can either be an acute infection or a chronic condition.
Fungal ear infections
Fungal ear infections (otomycosis) affect the outer area of the ear.