Ear infections can be painful sometimes, whether they trouble adults or more commonly children, can really make bother in the ear, and the child may suffer from ear pain.
It is the most common factor affecting hearing loss besides like aging, injury, noise exposure, infection, and genetics.
You can purchase the latest hearing aids at a fair price through HearingSol, If you need any assistance or you have a query regarding Ear Infection or Hearing Loss, feel free to call us at +91-9327901950. We are always here to help you.
In this in-depth article, we will be covering everything related to this like causes, symptoms, contagious, treatment, medicines, home remedies & treatment available for us.
People who are experiencing serious ear pain should always consult a doctor, mainly for the first time. But most of the time, there is nothing to worry about. Except that you will want the pain to halt.
Hearing loss is defined as the hard of hearing or deafness in which people have lost their ability to hear. The loss may occur at any age. There is no particular age for it because sometimes loneliness is the reason behind it.
Old people mostly suffer from this problem. Still, millions of peoples who are having hearing loss untreated. It is the most common disease in our society which is neglected by people in every generation.
An ear infection is an inflammation of the inner, middle or outer ear, often with infection. This occurs when a bacterial or viral infection affects the ear.
It can be very painful because of inflammation and fluid build-up in the middle ear. Children are more likely to get ear infections than elders.
An ear infection can also be a standalone condition. Most of the ear infections are bacterial, not viral.
The duration of infection is fixed & can be chronic as well as acute. The infection which is short in duration is acute but they are very painful.
Chronic ear infections are for the large duration they are not continuous but they recur many times. This can cause hearing loss as they permanently damage the middle and inner ear.
The causes, diagnosis, and treatment of ear infection depends on its type.
There are three areas where ear infections can occur in children and adults.
Let’s discuss these types in detail.
It is also known as otitis media. It generally occurs when a virus or bacteria causes the area behind the eardrum to become inflamed.
Anyone can develop it but the condition is most common in infants between six and 15 months old. It is frequently associated with an earache and fever in the children.
It’s estimated that middle ear infections occur in 80 percent of children by the time they reach age 3. This survey is done by Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford.
According to a survey around one in every four children experience at least one middle ear infection by the time they’re 10 years old. It is mainly a complication of the common cold in children.
It is an infection that causes inflammation (redness and swelling). Mostly these infections occur during the winter and early spring. General tiredness can also lead to a middle ear infection.
There may be a chance that this infection can go away without any medication but sometimes if pain persists or one has a fever then one should seek medical treatment.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Science, there are three types of Ear Infections.
This type of ear infection is accompanied by swelling and redness in the ear behind and around the eardrum. When an accumulation of pus and mucus behind the eardrum follows a cold, allergy, and the presence of bacteria or viruses then this type of ear infection occurs.
Acute otitis media blocks the Eustachian tube so trapped fluid or mucus in the middle ear can cause fever, ear pain, and hearing impairment.
This type occurs when the infection goes away, but sometimes fluid sits in the middle ear for weeks. If the fluids not treated and remain for weeks to a month then this affects the ability to hear clearly and cause temporary hearing loss.
A person with this type may not experience symptoms, but a doctor will be able to mark the remaining fluid.
This type simply refers to fluid repeatedly to the middle ear, with or without the presence of infection. If there is persistent ear infection resulting in tearing or perforation of the eardrum then it is chronic suppurative otitis media.
There are a number of reasons for getting middle ear infections. They often generate from a prior infection of the respiratory system that spreads to the ears.
When the eustachian tube that connects the middle ear to the pharynx is blocked, fluid will collect behind the eardrum.
Most of the ear infection is caused by bacteria, which will often grow in the fluid, causing pain, infection, congestion, and swelling of the nasal passages, throat, and eustachian tubes.
The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx, which is the upper part of the throat behind the nose.
This tube is located just above the floor of the middle ear and has triangular to the oval-shaped opening at both ends.
The Eustachian tube used to maintain middle ear pressure equal to the air outside the ear, permitting free eardrum action.
The tube is crumpled most of the interval of time in order to protect the many germs residing in the nose and mouth from entering the middle ear. The throat end of the tube opens and closes to:
Ear Infection occurs when the Eustachian tube fails to do its job in a proper way. When the tube becomes blocked, fluid assembles in the middle ear, trapping already existing bacteria, which then multiply.
Most of the time this tube is closed, an opening occurs only during the activities such as yawning, chewing, and swallowing. Thus, to allow air through the passage between the middle ear and nasopharynx.
When the air in the middle ear space breakout into the bloodstream. An incomplete vacuum is formed that consumes more bacteria from the nose and mouth into the ear.
Some of the symptoms of this infection are as follows:-
Well diagnosing an ear infection, is important to avoid overuse of antibiotics, thus helps to restrain worsening infection.
During a visit with your doctor, for them, it will be important to examine your ear. Otoscopy is an exam executed with an otoscope that will allow the visualization of your external ear canal and your eardrum.
This infection can usually be diagnosed by using an otoscope to check for redness, swelling, pus, and fluid.
Otoscopes can use to check the ear to look for signs of fluid in the middle ear, which may indicate an infection.
Sometimes, a hole may have developed in the eardrum that is called a perforated eardrum. In some cases, there may be fluid in the tube between the outer ear and eardrum that is ear canal. In diagnosis doctor checks all of this scenario.
Sometimes simple treatment is not working and some complication develops then doctor conduct some further tests. Some of the tests that can conduct are:
This test measures how the eardrum reacts to a change in air pressure.
Your doctor might conduct a test called tympanometry to conclude whether the middle ear is working properly or not.
During this test, a probe is placed into the ear, the probe changes the air pressure at regular intervals while transmitting a sound into the ear and makes the eardrum vibrate, how the drum moves and how changes in air pressure affect the movement of all these, are recorded by a measuring device that is attached to the probe.
The result of this test is shown in a graph.
When there is a possibility that the infection has spread out of the middle ear and into the surrounding area, a scan of the ear may be carried out although it occurs on a very rare occasion.
It is done by:
Audiometry test is performed to conclude how well you can hear.
This hearing test uses a machine called an audiometer to produce sounds of different volume and frequency. This can determine if you have any hearing loss because of an infection.
During the test, you have to listen through headphones, and you are asked if you can hear the sounds.
Here are some common causes:
The diagnostic technique is for the detection of middle ear outburst.
This test measures how much sound emitted from a device is reflected back from the eardrum.
Tympanocentesis is a minor surgical procedure which refers to puncture of the tympanic membrane with a small gauge needle.
In this, the doctor uses a tiny tube that pierces the eardrum to drain fluid from the middle ear.
Mostly otitis media clear up within three to five days and don’t need any specific treatment but if treatment is needed then there are different ways to treat otitis media. The treatment is based on some factor like:
Depending on the severity of the infection, it is decided that whether to treat the pain or wait to see if symptoms go away. Some methods you can use are:
As sometime otitis media clear up itself, so a wait-and-see approach is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians depends upon the age of the children.
There are two conditions where the individual must wait so the otitis media clear up itself without any treatment. The first condition is if children are between 6 to 23 months and having mild inner ear pain in one ear for less than 48 hours and fever less than 102.2 F (39 C).
The second condition is children are between 24 months and older and having mild inner ear pain in one or both ears for less than 48 hours and fever less than 102.2 F (39 C).
Sometimes, placing a warm flannel or washcloth over the affected ear may also help relieve pain.
Ibuprofen and paracetamol type any painkiller is a common treatment as it gives relief from any pain and fever.
If the symptoms lasting for more than three days, then the general doctor will recommend antibiotics but it would not be effective against infection if it is caused by a virus.
If antibiotics are needed for the treatment then a five-day course of an antibiotic called amoxicillin is usually prescribed. In many cases, it is given as a liquid.
If someone has an allergy to amoxicillin then an alternative antibiotic such as erythromycin or clarithromycin may be prescribed to that individual.
If someone develops a long-term middle ear infection that is chronic suppurative otitis media then he or she may benefit from short courses of antibiotic ear drops.
For prescribing an antibiotic there are different criteria introduced for children as well as adults.
Children antibiotics are usually only considered if the child:
For adults antibiotics may be prescribed if:
Mostly treatment with grommets is designed for children especially but it is not available in all areas.
If a child has recurrent severe middle ear infections then tiny tubes are known as may be inserted into the eardrum to help drain fluid.
For inserting grommets doctor first uses a general anesthetic so that the child will be asleep and won’t feel any pain. This procedure usually only takes about 15 minutes. The doctor allows the child to go home on the same day.
With the help of eardrum open for several months. As the eardrum starts to cure, the grommet will naturally be pushed out of the eardrum and eventually falls out.
This process happens slowly and should not be painful. After being inserted most grommets fall out within six to 12 months.
If the child still experiencing problems then he needs another procedure to replace the grommets. Treatment with grommets is not for adults with recurrent otitis media.
Mastoiditis can develop if an infection spreads out of the middle ear and goes to the area of bone underneath the ear (the mastoids).
Symptoms of mastoiditis are:
Antibiotics are given through a drip directly into a vein for the treatment of Mastoiditis. But in some cases, surgery may be required to drain the ear and remove the infected mastoid bone.
If a child has frequent ear infections there is a risk that their speech and language development may be affected. It also affects their hearing while they are very young.
It is very rare cases but sometimes the swelling associated with otitis media can cause the facial nerve to become compressed. Due to compression of the nerve a person being unable to move some or all of their face this condition is known as facial paralysis.
It is a very rare and serious complication of a middle ear infection. When the infection spreads to the protective outer layer of the brain and spinal cord (the meninges) then this infection occurs.
Symptoms of meningitis are:
It is generally treated in hospital with antibiotics given through a drip directly into a vein.
It is the major complication that is associated with the infection. Adults, as well as children, may suffer from this if they have otitis media.
It is also a rare and serious complication of a middle ear infection. In this, a pus-filled swelling develops inside the brain.
Symptoms of a brain abscess are:
Both antibiotics and surgery are used for the treatment of brain abscess. In this, the surgeon will usually open the skull and drain the pus from the abscess. Sometimes he removes the abscess entirely.
As the infection mostly occurs in children so to prevent them from the infection there are many techniques:
Swimmer’s Ear is a medical condition, which sometimes leads to temporary hearing loss. This condition is due to the trapped water in the ear canal which results in the accumulation of bacteria on the skin surface.
It is a very common problem for those who spend a lot of time swimming.
Common situations that risk swimmer’s ear includes stagnant water, hot tub, swimming pools, showers, water slides in the waterpark, and other places with moisture.
There is a discharge of liquid or pus from the ear in otitis externa. One of the causes of Otitis externa is the fungal infection.
People may experience a hearing loss in the case of a swimmer’s ear if it goes untreated. With proper treatment, this hearing loss diminishes.
But if the treatment is ineffective, the condition may continue to occur resulting in recurring cases of hearing loss.
In extreme cases, the base of the skull, cranial nerves and brain can also be damaged as the infection spreads.
Ear Wick placement is also used to cure Otitis Externa.
It is an inner ear infection. In this, there is an inflammation of the inner ear structure called the labyrinth.
Some symptoms of this infection are:
During the first week, the symptoms can be quite severe, but usually, after a few weeks, it gets better. These symptoms have a significant impact on the ability to carry out everyday tasks when they can last longer.
Sometimes it is casual that the cause of Labyrinthitis is not determined but there are many factors that cause it. The two main factors are viruses and bacteria.
This form of infection is more common. Some viruses appear to be related to this infection and they are measles, mumps, hepatitis, and the types of herpes that cause cold sores, chickenpox, or shingles.
If anyone has viral labyrinthitis, it usually will affect only one ear. It might quickly run its course and pretend to go away. But it can return anytime without warning.
This can happen in one of two ways:
When germs completely occupy the labyrinth from outside the ear, then the more severe and uncommon type of bacterial labyrinthitis occurs.
Bacterial meningitis can be the cause of this condition.
Some other causes of Labyrinthitis are:-
Some factor which increases the risk of Labyrinthitis is:
Generally, the diagnosis of labyrinthitis is based on your symptoms, your medical history, and a physical examination. At the time of diagnosis, your doctor may physical exam also take tests of your nervous system (neurological exam).
In the physical examination, the doctor may be asked you to move your body and head and your ears will be checked for signs of inflammation and infection
The doctor will take the hearing test also for checking whether you have hearing loss or not.
Doctors can generally safely assume that labyrinthitis is the result of viral infection because there is no reliable test to determine whether labyrinthitis is caused by a viral or bacterial infection because testing for infection would damage the labyrinth.
Sometimes further testing is also required if you have additional symptoms like
This is carried out to check whether you have a more serious condition, such as meningitis or a stroke or not.
The test that is carried out is as follows:
Labyrinthitis is usually treated on the basis of its cause. Normally it can be treated using a combination of self-help techniques and medication but chronic labyrinthitis may be treated with vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT).
Sometimes the doctor will prescribe you medication to treat your symptoms, such as nausea or vertigo. Some treatment methods include:
In physical therapy, you will be asked to do head and eye movements, postural changes, and walking exercises.
Sometimes, dizziness, vertigo, and loss of balance are particularly severe, then you may prescribe a short course of medication to help control nausea and vomiting, and to relieve dizziness and vertigo such as
When people suffer from vertigo and dizziness for months or even years which is sometimes known as chronic labyrinthitis then Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is an effective treatment for them.
VRT attempts to “retrain” the brain and nervous system to compensate for the abnormal signals coming from the vestibular system of the chronic labyrinthitis affected person.
VRT is generally carried out under the supervision of a trained physiotherapist. There is a range of exercises involves it. These exercises are designed to:
The complication that is associated with Labyrinthitis is a permanent hearing loss. It generally occurs in children who have developed bacterial labyrinthitis as a complication of brain infection meningitis.
Because of this high risk, a hearing test is recommended after having bacterial labyrinthitis.
It is evaluated that as many as one in five children will develop either partial or complete hearing loss after having meningitis.
Sometimes a cochlear implant is taken as the treatment of this permanent hearing loss after bacterial labyrinthitis. A cochlear implant is a small hearing device fitted under the skin behind the ear during surgery. It is not like hearing aids.
There is a number of factors that cause hearing loss like aging, injury, noise exposure, infection, and heredity. All these factors cause a sensorineural hearing loss because it affects the auditory nerve.
But an ear infection can also cause hearing loss which is known as the conductive hearing loss.
Deafness is caused by an ear infection and this is specified as a conductive hearing loss. Now let’s know some important information about conductive hearing loss.
The middle ear affects Conductive hearing loss rather than the auditory nerve. In a particular manner sensorineural hearing loss does.
Any obstruction can protect the sound from sending through the middle ear and cause hearing loss. The middle ear act to transfer sound to your auditory nerve.
This type of hearing loss is the communication of sound from the environment to the inner ear is impaired. Often from an abnormality of the outer auditory canal or middle ear.
This type of hearing impairment can be temporary or permanent. Uncured chronic ear infections can lead to a conductive hearing loss.
Ossicular chain is made of three smallest bones. A growth of fluid, wax in the middle ear, or a hole in the eardrum may cause conductive hearing loss.
Your physician may choose to cure your ear infection with antibiotics. Generally, this type of deafness induced by an ear infection is often temporary and subsides after treatment.
And if the antibiotics successfully treat the infection, your hearing should return to normal.
When you show the report of recurrent ear infections, then your physician will insert a tube into your eardrum to help the fluid drain.
Deleting the buildup of fluid relieves the pain and pressure that often accompanies an ear infection and can prevent the eardrum from rupturing.
When liquid builds up without resolution, the squeeze can cause your eardrum to breach.
Past events of recurrent ear infections can also lead to tympanosclerosis, which is the curdling or scarring of the tympanic membrane.
A punctured eardrum and tympanosclerosis adversely influence the mobility of the eardrum and lower hearing ability.
When your hearing does not return back to normal by the following cure, your physician or hearing specialist may recommend to you a hearing aids device to cure the unresolved hearing loss at a hearing solution.
Generally, ear infections are common in adults but it can lead to serious consequences, including hearing loss.
Although children can be more serious. There is also a chance that an untreated infection may also spread to other parts of the body.
Ear infection in adults should be closely monitored and diagnosed by a doctor to avoid any complications.
One of the main reasons for ear infection in children is that their eustachian tubes are smaller and more horizontal than the tubes in most adults.
So, if an adult has small eustachian tubes or you have tubes that haven’t developed more of a slope, they are at higher risk for developing an ear infection.
An adult may also develop ear infection if they smoke or are around a lot of secondhand smoke. If the adult has seasonal allergies or year-round allergies then there is a chance of ear infection.
If they develop a cold or an upper respiratory infection then also they are at risk.
Some of the symptoms are:
Ear infections are caused by bacteria or viruses in the middle ear. Ear infections occur more often in children than in adults. There are many ear infection remedy that helps you.
There is an all-natural solution that actually corrects a common underlying cause of childhood ear infections. And it’s likely to surprise you.
Garlic ear oil is likely on the shelf of your local health store. Garlic has antimicrobial properties and natural pain-relieving qualities, making it highly effective in the treatment of ear infections.
Eating two to three cloves of raw garlic daily also helps you to speed up the healing process.
To get rid of the fungus that may be causing the ear infection, apple cider vinegar is a good option.
You can use white vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar. If the reason for the ear infection is in the Eustachian tubes, you can also try gargling with apple cider vinegar.
Wax in the ear-catching some fungal or bacterial growth leading to a blockage in the Eustachian tubes which is the main cause of ear infection. You can use olive oil to clear the obstruction easily.
Because of the oil, the wax becomes soft and you can easily remove it.
Don’t underestimate the healing help of resting. You can apply some heat to the infected ear. This will quickly relieve some of the pain and will also prevent micro-organism infestation.
For the first time do the process for only 5 minutes. Do not keep warm water near your ear for a longer time period.
Salt is probably the most readily available home remedy.
The heat generated from this activity will help to draw out fluid from the ear and relieve swelling and pain so repeat this remedy daily as many times as needed.
You can also use coconut oil because it is safe and very effective in an ear infection. It is also a good competitor of some antibiotics in the term of safety and effectiveness.
Repeat the process at least twice a day. This process kills bacteria, viruses, or any other infection-causing microbe.
It helps to unclog the ear by removing dirt, and it also kills the bacteria through its antimicrobial properties.
Tea tree oil is a good home remedy for ear infection.
You can also use holy basil to treat minor ear infections. It can reduce infection.
You can do the process twice a day.
It is a common fact that all types of ear infection can cause some degree of temporary hearing loss. In most cases, the loss is not severe and it does not result in any long-term damage to hearing ability.
There is a chance that infants and toddlers who suffer from chronic otitis media experience mild hearing loss.
You can purchase the latest hearing aids at a fair price through HearingSol, If you need any assistance or you have a query regarding Ear Infection or Hearing Loss, feel free to call us at +91-9327901950. We are always here to help you.
While finding the best audiologist can be challenging, knowing what to look for in them…
Did you know nearly 14% of people between the ages of 45 to 64 experience…
Sinus and migraine are often two of the most concerning reasons for men’s health. Both…
Of course, for anyone who is suffering from insomnia, there is one question that you…
Today, the Hearing Loss Or Deafness Problem is turning out to be a major concern…
Can you imagine you have a health problem in the last stage of life? And…