Symptoms and Complications
Middle ear infections can be categorized as acute, serous, or chronic.
Common symptoms of acute otitis media are fever, pain, and irritability.
In children, the ear infection often begins after the child has had a cold for
several days.
It's more difficult to detect signs of ear infection in young babies. You
may notice a change in mood or feeding, and the infant will most likely have
a fever. Because ear infections are usually painful, many babies will be irritable.
If fluid builds up in the ear, the infection is called serous otitis media.
This occurs when the eustachian tube becomes blocked, and pressure in the middle
ear drops. Under these circumstances, the child might experience hearing loss
or impairment in the infected ear. This is usually only temporary. While this
is usually no cause for alarm, anyone who experiences hearing loss or impairment
should consult their doctor (and expect a follow-up).
Chronic otitis media refers to recurring ear infections. This is often
complicated by (or caused by) a hole in the eardrum (perforation) from any one
of the following:
- acute infection
- blocked eustachian tube
- heat or chemical burns
- injury from sudden air pressure changes
- injury from an object entering the ear
Chronic ear infections often flare up after a cold, or, if perforated, when
water enters the ear during swimming or bathing. Repeated infections can destroy
the small bones in the middle ear, leading to long-term hearing loss. More serious
complications include spread to nearby organs, appearing as inflammation of
the inner ear, facial paralysis, and brain infections.