Middle ear infection stats

• As per NIH, five out of six kids and toddlers get ear infection at least once before the age of 5.
• Ear infections affect 6 percent of the Indian population. And 10-20 per cent of school-going children face at least one episode of Acute Otitis Media.
• The impact is more in less-developed and slum areas, as against urban regions.

Symptoms – When does it become necessary to see a doctor?

Acute infections may turn into long-term chronic if they are constantly neglected or do not bring constructive results out of treatment. If you see the below symptoms, you need to see an ENT specialist without delay.

• Trouble sleeping
• Low-grade fever
• Mild pain or discomfort that feels like pressure in the ear
• Frequent irritation in infants
• Unusual crying in infants
• Pus-like drainage from the ears
• Difficulty hearing or responding to sounds

Complications

If you are taking antibiotics but unable to get relief or if the symptoms of infection recur, it could lead to complications.

• Impaired or complete loss of hearing
• Trouble in speech and development in toddlers due to impaired hearing
• Infection spreading to other tissues may damage the bone behind the ear and form cysts filled with pus.
• If a ruptured eardrum does not heal within 72 hours, it would need a surgical fix.
• In severe cases, the infection can lead to inflammation around the brain, and facial paralysis.

Diagnosis - What can we expect at the clinic?

The following techniques are used to diagnose the ear infection:

• Using an otoscope, the doctor will look for signs of infection. It can be problematic for infants.
• By blowing air at the eardrum, the signs of blockage could be checked.
• Fluid behind the eardrum can be checked using an instrument called a tympanometer.
• For hearing loss, the doctor can call an audiologist for additional support.

Treatment – Home remedies, medicines and surgery

Treatment varies depending on the symptoms and condition. Mild symptoms can be treated using a cold or warm washcloth on the affected area, while in slightly severe cases, the doctor may prescribe oral or intravenous antibiotics. A surgical procedure is typically done when there are multiple infections, or the fluid gets stuck in the middle ear for over three months.

Through a minimally invasive surgery, the ENT specialist will create a tiny opening in the eardrum for draining out the fluid, pus or blood. In other cases, a special small tube called myringotomy is placed to take out the fluid, and restore the hearing to normalcy.

Ear infections are very common, but when it turns chronic, they can affect the day-to-day life of both parents and the child. Practising good hygiene and breastfeeding the infant for at least one year can ward off most cases.