Serving all people by providing personalized health and wellness through exemplary care, education and research.
Explore health content from A to Z.
I need information about...
Otitis media is infection or inflammation in the middle ear. Most kids have at least one ear infection by the time they are 3 years old. But, adults can also get ear infections.
Inflammation in the middle ear most often starts after you’ve had a sore throat, cold, or other upper respiratory problem. The infection spreads to the middle ear and causes fluid buildup behind the eardrum.
These are the most common symptoms of ear infections in adults:
These symptoms may look like other conditions or health problems. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Your healthcare provider will review your health history and do a physical exam. He or she will check the outer ear(s) and the eardrum(s) using an otoscope. The otoscope is a lighted tool that lets the healthcare provider see inside the ear. A pneumatic otoscope blows a puff of air into the ear to test eardrum movement. When there is fluid or infection in the middle ear, movement is decreased.
Your provider may also do a tympanometry. This is a test that directs air and sound to the middle ear.
If you have ear infections often, your healthcare provider may suggest having a hearing test.
Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment based on:
Treatment may include:
Untreated ear infections can lead to:
Cold and allergy medicines do not appear to prevent ear infections. And, currently, there is no vaccine that can prevent the disease. However, do check with your healthcare provider and make sure your vaccines are up-to-date. Living in a home where cigarettes are smoked can increase the chances of ear infections.
Copyright © 2016 Baylor Scott & White Health. All Rights Reserved. |
3500 Gaston Ave., Dallas, TX 75246-2017 | 1.800.4BAYLOR