Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of Ear InfectionsHow Ear Infections HappenPreventionWhen to See a DoctorFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Ear Infections
How Ear Infections Happen
Prevention
When to See a Doctor
Frequently Asked Questions
Ear infections can be painful and disruptive. They are especially frustrating for people who get reoccurring ear infections, or for parents whose children are prone to them.
Although AOM occurs most often in children, a 2005 global study showed adults ages 25 to 85 accounted for 1.5% to 2.3% of incidences of AOM.
Thankfully, the rate of AOM has declined in the years since 2000 in the United States and some other countries, likely due to the introduction of the pneumococcal vaccine and an understanding of otherpreventative measures, which are covered in the article below.
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Otitis media (OM), meaning inflammation of the middle ear, is often called an ear infection and used as a blanket term, but there are several conditions of the ear that often fall under that umbrella, including ones that don’t involve infection at all.
Acute Otitis Media (AOM)
AOM is what most people are referring to when they discussear infections. They come on suddenly—typically during or after a respiratory infection such as a cold—and usually resolve on their own within a few days or sometimes weeks.
AOM involves fluid in the middle ear, along with bacterial or viral infection.
Symptoms of AOM include:
Otitis Media With Effusion (OME)
OME involves fluid trapped in the middle earwithout an active infection. It typically doesn’t have the obvious symptoms that come with AOM such as pain or fever, but can cause muffled hearing or a feeling of fullness in the ear.
Chronic Otitis Media
Chronic otitis media refers to some ongoing or long-term problems with the middle ear, including a hole in the eardrum that doesn’t heal, or ear infections that don’t resolve or that keep coming back.
Types of chronic otitis media include:
Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear)
Otitis Media
The eustachian tube connects the ear to the throat and helps even out the pressure between the outer ear and the inner ear. There is one in each ear.
Bacteria or viruses can travel up these tubes into the middle ear, often during or shortly after arespiratory illnesslike a cold.
The eustachian tube can become swollen from bacteria, viruses, allergies, or other irritants such as cigarette smoke, leading to a blockage. Drinking while lying on your back, or sudden changes in air pressure (such as in an airplane or driving on a hilly road), can also cause the tube to close or become blocked.
When the tubes are blocked, fluid can become trapped in the middle ear, causing OME. If bacteria or viruses are present, an infection can develop, causing AOM.
Because children’s eustachian tubes are shorter, narrower, and more horizontal than an adult’s, they are more likely to experience ear infections.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for developing OM include:
Ear infections can’t always be avoided, but there areways to reduce the risk.
Adults
Infants and Children
Ear TubesIf ear infections keep reoccurring, or fluid stays trapped behind the ear causing hearing problems,a proceduremay be performed in which a small hole is made in the eardrum, and small plastic or metal tubes are inserted. This helps fluid drain from the ear.These tubes fall out on their own as the eardrum heals and do not need to be removed.While this procedure is more common in children, it is also performed on adults.
Ear Tubes
If ear infections keep reoccurring, or fluid stays trapped behind the ear causing hearing problems,a proceduremay be performed in which a small hole is made in the eardrum, and small plastic or metal tubes are inserted. This helps fluid drain from the ear.These tubes fall out on their own as the eardrum heals and do not need to be removed.While this procedure is more common in children, it is also performed on adults.
If ear infections keep reoccurring, or fluid stays trapped behind the ear causing hearing problems,a proceduremay be performed in which a small hole is made in the eardrum, and small plastic or metal tubes are inserted. This helps fluid drain from the ear.
These tubes fall out on their own as the eardrum heals and do not need to be removed.
While this procedure is more common in children, it is also performed on adults.
Call your healthcare provider immediately if any of the following occurs in you or your child:
Call your healthcare provider during office hours if:
Ear Infection Treatment to Get Rid of Symptoms
How do you treat an ear infection?
Most ear infections will go away on their own within a few days, but in some cases, antibiotics may be needed.
How can you tell if you have an ear infection?
What does an ear infection feel like?
An ear infection can cause pain in the ear (sharp or dull) and/or a feeling of fullness in the ear.
How long does an ear infection last?
Ear infections usually get better within a few days, with or without antibiotics, but the fluid in the middle ear may last six weeks or longer.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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