Middle ear infection: Symptoms, Causes and Preventions

What is a Middle ear infection?

An ear infection, also known as acute otitis media, is a middle ear infection mainly in an air-filled space containing vibrating bones of the ear behind the eardrum. Children below 10 years of age are more prone to develop a middle ear infection.

Generally, inside ear infections are relieved on their own but still, treatment may be taken to reduce pain and monitor the problem to manage the infection. Antibiotics can be used to prevent ear infection symptoms. Some people are predisposed to having multiple ear infections, which can cause severe complications if not treated well.

Middle ear infections generally arise due to bacterial or viral dwelling in the middle ear or the area near the eardrum.

Nowadays, inside ear infections are a common reason why we often visit healthcare providers. Middle ear infections that do not heal can cause chronic pain or discomfort, followed by hearing problems and other middle ear infection symptoms.

Also Read-Ear blockage: causes and natural home remedies

Symptoms of middle ear infection

Middle ear infection symptoms, mainly in children include-

• Fussiness
• Headache
• Ear pain
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of balance
• Increase in body temperature
• Tugging
• Crying is more than common
• Drainage of fluid to outside the ear
• Trouble in sleeping
• Irritability
• Trouble in hearing

If the pressure build-up in the middle ear rises above the threshold it can even rupture the eardrum. A middle ear infection accompanied by a ruptured eardrum can have a ringing or buzzing effect in the ear.

Causes of middle ear infection

Swelling in one or both ears usually happens because of a middle ear infection in the eustachian tube (a tube that connects the ear to the back of the neck). These tubes drain the excess mucous from the middle ear.

Some factors like acid reflux, allergies, throat infection and cold can result in swelling of the eustachian tube and hence can potentiate middle ear infection.

Inside ear infections also arise due to the presence of bacteria and viruses which build up pus in the affected area, some other causes include- cold, allergy, or flu accompanied by nasal congestion causes swelling in the throat and eustachian tube followed by blockage of this pathway which stops the drainage of fluids produced in the ear.

Apart from all this, the eustachian tube is shorter in children which potentiates the complication of poor drainage of the fluid accompanied by entrapment of harmful bacteria and viruses that cause pain. Hence it is widely said that children are more prone to develop a middle ear infection.

How to prevent ear infections?

Here are some ways to prevent middle ear infections in adults and children-

1) Stop smoking 

Studies have shown that smoking increases the probability of developing middle ear infections. Make sure to check on your friends and family so that no one smokes, especially when children are around.

2) Avoid exposure to cold

Try to limit your child’s exposure to cold at least during the first year of their life. Also, make sure to wash your hands frequently as most of the ear infection symptoms start with exposure to a cold.

3) Control Allergies

Allergic reactions can cause mucus and inflammation that can block the eustachian tube and make us more prone to develop a middle ear infection.

4) Always bottle feed baby in an upright position

If your baby’s bottle feed, make sure to hold the baby in an upright position. If the baby feeds in a horizontal position it can cause a backflow of fluid to the eustachian tube that can potentiate the cause of an inside ear infection.

5) Get a vaccination

Talk to your doctor about vaccination to prevent the occurrence of colds and flu. Pneumococcal, seasonal flu shots and other bacterial vaccines can help prevent middle ear infections. As vaccines help to maintain immunity and fight harmful microorganisms these can also be given to infants and children after consultation with a doctor.

6) Watch your breathing or snoring

People who snore constantly through the mouth may have large adenoids which may contribute to developing ear infection symptoms.

7) Breastfeed your baby

Breastfeeding your baby during the initial 6 to 12 months boosts the antibodies formation strength of the baby and hence improves immunity by reducing the chance to develop the infection.

Treatment of middle ear infections

Middle ear infection treatment depends on the severity of the infection and the time duration of fluid accumulation in the ear.

If the infection is mild, your healthcare provider may ask to wait for a few days to see if the infection subsides on its own and if it doesn’t you may be prescribed antibiotics for middle ear infection treatment.

Antibiotics

These may be prescribed if the cause behind the infection is bacterial contamination in the ear. Antibiotics are generally prescribed in case of a severe ear infection when it is not clear on its own.

Pain-relieving medicines

Over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help to relieve pain and also fever associated with a middle ear infection. There are many pain-relieving ear drops available in the market that can be instilled directly into the ear for the best effect.

Make a note to never give aspirin to children and infants, as aspirin when given to children can lead to a life-threatening condition known as Reye’s syndrome.

Adults who experience frequent ear pain can also switch to a warm compress outside the ear to relieve pain.

Effects of frequent ear infection

Most ear infections do not cause long-term problems but some can lead to the following complications-

• Delayed speech
• Complete loss of hearing
• Permanent damage to the eardrum

When to call a doctor?

Although, rarely, ear infection symptoms don’t go away on their own and may cause severe complications.

You may connect with your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following complications-

• Severe ear pain
• Bloody or pus deposits in the ear
• Experiencing stiffness in the neck
• Fever over 104F
• Tiredness and fatigue
• Difficulty in maintaining balance while standing
• Continuous crying of the child
• No decline in pain even after taking antibiotics

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