Mild to moderate hearing loss Delayed speech development due to hearing loss, and possible difficulty learning in school Infection of the bone behind the ear (mastoiditis) Meningitis Facial nerve paralysis Perforation of the eardrum

Middle Ear Infections

Middle Ear Infections

Other topics

Definition

There are three parts to the ear:  the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear.  Middle ear problems occur when its function is disturbed by either the presence of abnormal pressure in the middle ear space or by reduced movement of the middle ear structures.  With ear infections, fluid in the middle ear creates abnormal pressure.

Occurence

Middle ear infections (otitis media) are the second most common infection in children.  Usually by the time children reach the age of 6, they are less likely to get middle ear infections. Two out of three children experience at least one ear infection by the age of 2.  They occur more often in the winter and early spring than any other time of year, and are more common in Native Americans and Eskimos than any other race.

Causes

Colds and sore throats often cause the Eustachian tubes to swell and close, especially in infants.  Germs from the nose or throat travel through the eustachian tube into the middle ear.  These germs can cause inflammation and infection in the middle ear.

Chills and fever.  Fever can be absent, or can run very high. Congestion, runny nose, especially with yellow or green drainage Discharge from the ear Fussiness Inability to sleep Apparent hearing loss Rubbing or tugging at the ear Crying during feeding Eye mattering or discharge Breathing through mouth instead of through nose Pain in one or both ears Ears feel "stopped up"

Symptoms

Complications

Treatment

Take your child to a doctor, even if the things you do at home seem to relieve the pain.  Antibiotics may be needed to clear the infection.  Be sure you follow through with treatment and medications, even after the symptoms seem to be gone. Take your child to the doctor for his follow up appointment because the infection may still be present, and because complications can occur. You may want to use doctor-recommended eardrops that treat pain or discharge.  Warm the bottle; lay the child on his back with his head turned to his side; pull out, down, and back on the earlobe.  Trickle eardrops into the ear canal so that they can run all the way in. Apply a heating pad or hot water bottle to the ear.  Not too hot!  Don't burn the child! For pain, after consulting with the doctor, give ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Anacin, Liquiprin, Panadol, Tempra, Tylenol) as directed.  ASPIRIN SHOULD NEVER BE GIVEN BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE REYE SYNDROME.  Reye Syndrome is a serious disorder of the brain and liver.

Over-the-counter and commonly used medicines containing Aspirin

Alka-Seltzer Plus CM Anacin Tablets Anacin Maximum Strength Arthritis Pain Formula Arthritis Strength Bufferin Ascriptin Aspergum Bayer Aspirin Bayer Children's Cold Tablet Bufferin Cama Inlay-Tabs Congesprin Chewable Tablets Corcidin  D Tabs Corcidin Medilet Tabs Corcidin Tablets or Syrup for Children Dristan Decongestant Tablets

Ecotrin Tablets Emperin Excedrin Tablets Fiornal Goody's Headache Powders Midol Norwich Aspirin Pepto Bismol Quietworld Analgesic Sine-Off Tablets St. Joseph Aspirin St. Joseph Cold Tablets Stanbach Analgesic Powder Triaminicin Tablets Vanquish Viro-Med Tablets

">

">

">

">

To help prevent ear infections in bottle-fed babies, do not allow a baby to drink a bottle while lying flat on his back.  The fluid in the bottle can travel up the Eustachian tubes into the middle ear and cause infection.  Always hold the baby when giving a bottle. Teach your child to blow his nose gently, one nostril at a time. Don't spread germs.  Both you and your child must wash the germs off your hands, especially after blowing the nose or going to the bathroom.

Prevention