Ear infections are more than just painful; they can damage your hearing if not treated rapidly enough or if they become chronic issues. To have a better understanding of these conditions, it’s essential to know what the most common ear infection symptoms are and what can cause them.
Understanding Ear Infections
There are three main types of ear infections. They can vary in severity, but they all have the potential to impact your hearing health.
Infections of the outer ear, called otitis externa or swimmer’s ear, are bacterial or fungal infections that impact your ear canal, which is the passage between your outer ear and your middle ear. Although it’s associated with swimmers, anyone can get this condition. It is possible to suffer hearing loss from ear infections of this type.
Otitis media, or middle ear infection, is a very common type of ear infection that impacts the air-filled space behind the eardrum. This part of the ear houses the bones that transmit sound vibrations to your inner ear so that you can hear.
There are a few subtypes of otitis media, including acute otitis media, which is the most common form of this condition, as well as otitis media with effusion and chronic otitis media. They can all be serious if left untreated.
The third kind of ear infection is otitis interna. This is an infection of the inner ear that causes this part of your ear to become inflamed. This could cause hearing and balance issues.
Common Symptoms and When to Seek Help
The ear infection symptoms you experience will depend greatly on the type of condition you have. With an outer ear infection, you can experience redness, swelling, itching, pain, and even drainage from the ear.
In infants and young children, you may notice that they pull on their ears or that they are more irritable than normal. They may also have balance problems.
Ear infection symptoms involving otitis media include fever, ear pain, fluid drainage, and muffled hearing. These infections are usually preceded by symptoms of a cold. It’s possible to experience nausea, headaches, and pressure. Children might struggle to sleep and could be more irritable than usual.
Infections of the inner ear usually present with dizziness, vertigo, hearing issues, pain, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. In children, symptoms can also include fussiness, not reacting to sounds, refusing to eat, and irritability.
Causes of Ear Infections
Ear infections can be the result of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Outer ear infections often occur when water gets trapped in the ear, leading to bacterial or fungal growth. Skin irritations can also result in these infections.
Middle ear infections are typically the result of exposure to a virus or bacterium, often following the flu, cold, or a bout of allergies. This leads to fluid buildup that allows germs to thrive.
Inner ear infections are usually the result of viruses. That can include viruses that cause herpes or the common cold, among others. These viruses cause inflammation that impacts balance and hearing. Although rarer, it is possible to get an inner ear infection from bacterial exposure.
How Ear Infections Affect Hearing
Ear infections can rapidly impact your hearing because of the buildup of fluid. This is especially the case if the fluid settles behind the eardrum. You can experience muffled sounds.
Most of the time, this muffling or loss of hearing is temporary, but if the infection isn’t treated in time or if you have repeated infections, your hearing could be permanently damaged.
Chronic ear infections and hearing loss often go hand in hand. These conditions could cause permanent damage to the eardrum or ossicles, which are the tiny bones in the middle ear. Damage of this type could leave scarring or permanent gaps that prevent proper sound vibration.
Treatment Options
Ear infection treatment options vary depending on the exact cause of the problem and the type of infection you have. For outer ear and middle ear infections, you could receive an ear canal cleaning. You could also receive ear drops with antifungal medications and sometimes steroids to help reduce the swelling.
If you experience dizziness or nausea, you may need antihistamines or antinausea medications, too. If the infection is bacterial, antibiotics could be necessary.
Surgical drainage could be an option. For children who experience regular ear infections, one of the options is to insert a tube in the eardrum, which stays in place for about a year. This helps with drainage.
Prevention Tips
There are ear infection prevention tips that can help. One of the most important steps is to ensure that you keep your ears dry. If you swim, wear earplugs or a swim cap. Avoid placing any foreign objects, like cotton swabs or fingers, in the ear canal. Don’t share earbuds, and wash your hands often.
If you have allergies or conditions like eczema, it’s important to treat them so that they don’t prompt inflammation.
When to See an Audiologist
If you notice any hearing changes after an ear infection, the most important step you can take is to see an audiologist. This includes symptoms such as sudden hearing loss, muffled hearing, or difficulty hearing in noisy environments, which may indicate lingering inflammation, fluid buildup, or damage to the inner or middle ear.
The same applies if the pain is persistent or severe, or if you notice that you’re experiencing frequent ear infections.
It’s essential to keep an eye on children with ear infections. If you see that your child develops a stiff neck, they are not walking steadily, or they have a high fever, it’s vital to get medical help, as these symptoms may indicate a medical emergency.
How Happy Ears Hearing Center Supports Patients
At Happy Ears Hearing Center, we provide the comprehensive hearing care that patients of all ages need. Our pediatric audiology experts are ready to assist children who struggle with ear infections and, if hearing problems occur, we offer a variety of services to help you or your loved one live with hearing loss.
If you’re struggling with ear infections, don’t wait to get assistance. Contact one of our Happy Ears Hearing Center locations to schedule a consultation.
