Did You Hear About Chronic Ear Infections?
Suspected ear infections are a common cause of pediatric visits for children, but adults can develop ear infections as well.
Otitis media is the most common type of ear infection, resulting from inflammation in the middle ear, located behind the eardrum. Acute ear infections cause pain and last a short duration, whereas chronic ear infections can come and go.
What Causes a Chronic Ear Infection?
Bacteria causes most ear infections. When someone gets a viral upper respiratory infection, cold or sore throat, bacteria can travel to the middle ear. For infections that are viral, bacteria may move into the ear and cause a secondary infection.
Bacterial and viral ear infections develop when fluid builds up in the Eustachian tubes, the narrow channels that connect the inner ear to the back of the throat. When the ear is functioning properly, fluid drains down the Eustachian tube and gets swallowed.
Certain factors may increase the risk of developing repeated ear inflammation. Some of these may include the following:
- Colds and sinus blockage
- Allergies
- Exposure to tobacco smoke
- Excess saliva during teething
- Infected or overgrown adenoids
- Cold climate or changes in altitude
- Family history of ear infections
- Birth defect that impairs Eustachian tube function
Compared to adults, Eustachian tubes in children are more horizontal and shorter. The tubes can easily become blocked due to gravity’s inability to drain fluid. When small, poorly ventilated tubes trap fluid, bacteria multiply at a rapid pace and cause infection.
Children develop most ear infections before they learn how to speak, so parents cannot rely on children verbalizing that they are experiencing ear pain. Some common symptoms of an ear infection include the following:
- Crying and fussiness
- Sleeping problems
- Fever, particularly in infants
- Tugging or pulling the ears
- Fluid draining from the ear
- Balance problems and clumsiness
- Inability to hear or respond to quiet sounds
What Causes a Chronic Ear Infection in Adults?
In adults, bacteria- or virus-related middle ear infections may result from another infection. A cold, the flu or allergies may lead to inflammation of the Eustachian tube, which connects your ear to your throat. If fluid builds inside your ear, this may lead to bacterial growth and infection.
Call Your ENT Specialist to Make an Appointment
Chronic ear infections require prompt medical treatment to prevent hearing loss. It is time to visit an ENT specialist if you or your child has …
- Had three or more ear infections in the last 12 months.
- A hole in the eardrum.
- Not shown improvement after taking oral antibiotics or eardrops.
- Had a relapse of symptoms after ear surgery.
- Trouble hearing.
Multiple ear infection symptoms may lead you to seek treatment and possibly surgery. For decades, patients have received safe, high-quality outpatient surgical procedures with increased convenience and savings at ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) across the nation.
Our ASC is committed to providing excellent patient experiences with highly professional service and the most advanced technologies available. Patients are discharged from our center the same day as the procedure to recover at home.
Ear infections can develop and change quickly, so do not ignore your body’s signals. Call today to schedule an appointment.