Ear infections and hearing loss

The bones and spaces making up your ear may be little, but they do big work. And when bacterium, fungi or viruses make themselves at home there, they quickly outstay their welcome. Often resulting from other illnesses that cause swelling and congestion, such as cold and flu, respiratory infections or even allergies, infections can occur in all parts of the ear: the middle, outer or inner.

The most common type of ear infection, also known as acute otitis media, occurs when the space behind the eardrum becomes inflamed or infected. Since the tiny bones responsible for amplifying sounds—the rockstars of the ear, if you will—are located here, these infections may muffle or reduce hearing.

Otitis externa, commonly called swimmer's ear, occurs in the outer canal when water remains trapped in the ear. Moisture becomes a cozy place for bacteria to breed and can lead to itching, redness and swelling of the ear canal.

Medically called labyrinthitis, an infection of the inner ear is often viral and is much less common than other ear infections. Because the inner ear contains delicate organs, an infection can cause both hearing difficulties and issues with balance.

Symptoms of an ear infection can present themselves in a range of ways. Keep an eye out for the following:

Look no further than the middle ear to be the culprit of most ear infections and related issues. In some cases, the fluid that builds up behind the eardrum lingers. This fluid can be responsible for several issues related to ear infections.

Otitis media with effusion (OME) refers to buildup of non-infected fluid (effusion) behind the eardrum and can accumulate there due to illnesses such as colds, respiratory infections, allergies, or from poor function of the Eustachian tubes (the little tubes linking the middle ear and throat).

When fluid gathers in the ear and remains there for a long period of time or continues to return without the presence of an infection, it is labeled chronic. The result can often be new ear infections or difficulty hearing.

Simply put, this condition refers to an on-going chronic infection of the middle ear. Repeat ear infections or poorly functioning Eustachian tubes can lead to a ruptured eardrum.

As with many types of infections, if untreated for long periods of time, ear infections may spread to other parts of the body. That could include complications such as infection of the bones behind the ear (mastoiditis), spreading to the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) or pus collecting in the brain (brain abscess), and rupturing of the ear drum.

Ear infections may not be preventable 100% of the time, but there are conditions and factors that can contribute to them. Those may be:

We know how scary it can be dealing with ear infections or seeing your little ones having them, but the good news is: most infections don't cause long-term damage to your hearing. While fluid buildup can cause a feeling of fullness in the ear and lead to muffled or mild hearing loss temporarily, once the inflammation clears and the fluid drains, hearing will generally be restored.

Usually when the infection subsides, blockage will clear and you'll regain your hearing as it was before. However, pesky fluid buildup doesn't always make a quick exit. This lingering fluid may cause reduced hearing to last for a few days or even months following the infection.

Long-term infections that go untreated or become chronic can cause permanent damage to the tiny bones in your ear or rupture your eardrum. Surgery may be needed to correct these issues. But how do you know if this loss is permanent? There are a few tell-tale signs:

Ear infections often take care of themselves after a few days. However, if you find them sticking around for more than 3 days, it's time to call the doctor. You should also contact your doctor if you have:

If you're dealing with a mild infection, there are ways to manage the pain until it clears: Use over-the-counter pain medication or ear drops for pain relief, apply a cold or warm cloth to the affected ear, and try not to sleep on it.

Persistent or severe ear infections may require intervention from a doctor. Antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, can be used to help clear up infections. For children, placing small tubes in the ear to help with drainage can also be a solution if ear infections keep coming back or to help drain remaining fluid.

Ear infections may be frustrating, but as with any infection, you can take control to prevent them. It all starts with healthy habits: