Definition:
Middle ear infection is the infection and inflammation of the middle ear. The middle ear is the part of the ear behind the eardrum.

Causes:
True middle ear infections are caused by bacteria. Common causative organisms include:

Haemophilus influenzae
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Moraxella (or Branhamella) catarrhalis
Streptococcus pyogenes
Staphylococcus aureus

Risk Factors:
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
Recent viral infection, such as a cold
Recent sinusitis
Age: babies and toddlers
Attendance at day care
Being bottle fed as an infant (especially while lying down) or using a pacifier
Medical conditions that cause abnormalities of the eustachian tubes, such as:
Cleft palate
Down syndrome
Regular exposure to second-hand smoke or smoke from a wood-burning stove
History of allergies
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Babies whose mother drank alcohol while pregnant
A variety of other conditions both rare and common can cause otitis

Symptoms:
Ear pain (in babies too young to report pain, you may notice tugging or rubbing at the ear or face)
Fever
Irritability
Hearing loss (may be only temporary, due to fluid accumulation interfering with hearing)
Decreased appetite, difficulty feeding
Disturbed sleep
Drainage from ear
Hearing loss (may be only temporary, due to fluid accumulation interfering with hearing)
Difficulty with balance

Diagnosis:
The doctor will ask about symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Most middle ear infections can be diagnosed by looking into the ear with an otoscope, a lighted instrument. The doctor will look to see if there is fluid or pus behind the eardrum. A small tube and bulb (insufflator) may be attached to the otoscope so that a light puff of air can be blown into the ear. This helps the doctor see if the eardrum is moving normally.

Other tests may include:

Tympanocentesis – withdrawal of fluid or pus from the middle ear using a needle to check for bacteria

Tympanometry – a test that measures pressure in the middle ear and responsiveness of the eardrum

Hearing Test – may be ordered for repeated ear infections

Treatment options:

Antibiotics
Antibiotics are commonly given to treat ear infections. Some frequently used antibiotics are amoxicillin, Septra, or Bactrim. Some ear infections are not caused by bacteria, but instead by a virus. Antibiotics will not speed up the cure of a viral ear infection. These infections (and many bacterial infections) tend to improve on their own in two to three days without antibiotic treatment.

Over-the-counter (OTC) Pain Relievers
OTC pain relievers can help reduce pain, fever, and irritability. These include acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Aspirin is not recommended for children with a current or recent viral infection. Check with your doctor before giving a child aspirin.

Ear Drops
Ear drops may help decrease pain. They cannot be used if there is any chance that the eardrum has ruptured.

Myringotomy
Myringotomy is a procedure during which a tiny incision is made in the eardrum to drain accumulated fluid.

To reduce the chance of getting an ear infection:

• Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke and to smoke from wood-burning stoves.
• Breastfeed your baby for at least the first six months.
• Try to avoid using a pacifier.
• If you bottle-feed your baby, keep your baby's head propped up as much as possible. Don't leave a bottle in the crib with your baby.
• Treat related conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux.
• Practice good handwashing to avoid spreading germs.
• Make sure your child has all of his or her immunizations, especially the new pneumococcal vaccine (Prevnar), which can reduce the risk of getting otitis.
• Consider getting a yearly flu vaccine.
• Antibiotics may occasionally be used in a small dose, for long periods of time, in children with a history of repeated ear infections.
• Tympanostomy tubes can be inserted into the eardrum during a minor surgical procedure. These tiny tubes help equalize the pressure behind the eardrum, which can help prevent the accumulation of fluid and decrease the risk of ear infection.
• Sometimes a child's adenoids are so large that they interfere with the functioning of the eustachian tubes. Removing the adenoids (adenoidectomy) may help prevent future ear infections, though the benefit of surgery is small and may not last more than a year. .
  
  
  
  

Organizations:

American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

SOURCES:

Behrman: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 16th ed. W. B. Saunders, 2000.

Dambro: Griffith's 5-Minute Clinical Consult, 1999 ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1999.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

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Last reviewed November 2002 by Lawrence Frisch, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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