An ear infection (acute otitis media) is most often a bacterial or viral infection that affects the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear.

Ear infections frequently are painful because of inflammation and the buildup of fluids in the middle ear. 

Often, ear infections heal on their own; treatment may begin with managing pain and monitoring the problem. Ear infections in infants and severe cases in general often require antibiotic medications. 

Long-term problems related to ear infections — persistent fluids in the middle ear, persistent infections, or frequent infections — can cause hearing problems and other serious complications.

Why Children Get Ear Infections More Often Than Adults

Children are more likely than adults to get ear infections. That’s because children have smaller eustachian tubes (they connect the middle ears to the back of your throat to drain fluid and equalize pressure). The small size makes it harder for them to drain fluid prone to bacterial growth. 

An ear infection occurs when one of your eustachian tubes becomes swollen or blocked, causing fluid to build up in your middle ear. Eustachian tubes are small tubes that run from each ear directly to the back of the throat.

Causes of eustachian tube blockage include:

• Allergies
• Colds
• Sinus infections
• Excess mucus
• Smoking
• Infected or swollen adenoids (tissue near your tonsils that traps harmful bacteria and viruses)
• Changes in air pressure

The onset of signs and symptoms of ear infection is usually rapid.

Children Ear Infection Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms common in children include:

• Ear pain, especially when lying down
• Tugging or pulling at an ear
• Difficulty sleeping due to pain
• Crying more than usual
• Acting more irritable than usual
• Lack of response to sounds
• Loss of balance
• Fever of 100°F (38°C) or higher
• Drainage of fluid from the ear
• Headache
• Loss of appetite

Adults Ear Infection Signs and Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms in adults include:

• Ear pain
• Drainage of fluid from the ear
• Diminished hearing

These symptoms might persist or come and go. Symptoms may occur in one or both ears. Pain is usually more severe with a double ear infection (infection in both ears).

Chronic ear infection symptoms may be less noticeable than acute ear infections.

Children younger than six months who have a fever or ear infection symptoms should see a doctor. Always seek medical attention if your child has a fever higher than 102°F (39°C) or severe ear pain. Give us a call for an urgent appointment. 

Most mild ear infections clear up without medical treatment, but acute and chronic infections need specialist attention. Some of the following methods are effective in relieving the symptoms of a mild ear infection:

• Apply a warm cloth to the affected ear.
• Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). 
• Use OTC or prescription ear drops to relieve pain. 
• Take OTC decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed). 

If your symptoms get worse or don’t improve, you should schedule an appointment with us, and one of our specialists can help you get checked and treated. 

We may prescribe antibiotics if your ear infection is chronic or isn’t improving. It’s necessary to finish your entire course of antibiotics as prescribed.

We may opt for surgery if your ear infection isn’t cured with the usual medical treatments. It may also be the best option if you have many ear infections over a short period of time. 

If you have enlarged adenoids, we may require surgical removal of the adenoids.