It’s very common to get an ear infection as a kid; by some estimates, 80% to 90% of school-age children get one by the time they’re 3 years old. Although adults get infections in their ears at much lower rates than children, you’re not out of the auditory infection woods if you’re an older adult. Around 0.53% of adults contract middle ear infections every year.
While that may not sound like much, these infections can be just as frustrating for adults to deal with and can lead to more serious issues if left untreated. So if your ears feel blocked up or in pain, listen to these symptoms so you can tell if you’re dealing with a middle ear infection and seek treatment if you need it.
How Does The Middle Ears Get Infected?
Sitting just behind the eardrums, the middle ears consist of the ossicles, three tiny bones that are necessary for hearing, and the Eustachian tubes, narrow, open auditory tubes that connect to the throat. When they’re functioning properly, the Eustachian tubes ventilate the middle ears, equalize the pressure inside them, and drain any fluid inside them down into the throat, where it’s usually swallowed.
Middle ear infections often result from upper respiratory problems like sore throats, colds, or allergies; these respiratory infections start in the mouth, eyes, or nose and travel up to the middle ears. They irritate or cause the Eustachian tubes to swell, preventing them from draining fluid and allowing bacteria and viruses to grow in that fluid.
There are three kinds of middle-ear infections. Acute otitis media is a suddenly occurring infection that causes swelling and redness, traps fluid (effusion) and mucus inside the middle ear, and results in ear pain. Otitis media with effusion causes fluid and mucus to build up after the infection goes away and can last for months. Chronic otitis media with effusion occurs when fluid remains in the middle ear for a long time or builds up numerous times, even without an infection. The last two types can significantly affect your hearing.
Symptoms Of Middle Ear Infections?
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Sign #1. Pain in Your Ears and/or Loss of Balance
The buildup of fluid and infected tissue can place extra pressure on and cause moderate or aching pain deep inside your ears. The pain might be preceded by a days-long nasal congestion or cough; it can make it hard for you to sleep at night. Older adults who contract ear infections may also experience a loss of balance or vertigo.
Sign #2. Muffled Hearing or Hearing Loss
Ear infections can make it harder to hear. Inflamed eardrums aren’t as sensitive to sound as healthy ones are, so they can’t relay it as well. Furthermore, the buildup of fluid and pus inside the middle ears can make your ears feel plugged up or as if they’re underwater. If left untreated, these infections can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss.
Sign #3. Fluid Draining Out of Your Ears
Middle-ear infections can cause the eardrums to rupture or burst. In those cases, you may notice fluid, pus, or even blood draining out of your ears. While most eardrum tears heal within 72 hours, some might require surgical repair.
Treatments For Middle Ear Infections
Most of these infections usually end up resolving themselves, but you have many ways to treat their symptoms and reduce the pain you feel. When dealing with an infection, you should get adequate rest and stay hydrated. You can also keep your upper body elevated and use warm compresses on your ears to help the Eustachian tubes drain excess fluid.
If your symptoms last more than three days, you develop new ones like a fever or loss of balance, or any fluid is discharging from your ears, contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor will run through your medical history, do a physical exam, use an otoscope to look inside your ears, and possibly use a tympanometer to blow small puffs of air into your ears and see how well your eardrums respond.
For bacterial infections, your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics, antibiotic ear drops, decongestants, or antihistamines. For viral infections, they will often recommend taking over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If the infections linger or recur even after these treatments, they may recommend getting ear tube surgery in order to help your ears drain fluids.
Final Thoughts
Though they happen more frequently to children than adults, ear infections are a pain to deal with at any age. If you’re an older adult and feel pain in your ears, have trouble hearing, have fluid draining out of your ears, or experience a loss of balance, you most likely have a middle ear infection.
Antibiotics and pain medications can both make ear infections easier to bear, while ear tubes can help you deal with lingering or recurring ones. Knowing how to identify and get treatment for middle ear infections will help you keep your ears healthy and clear.
Disclaimer: This article is intended simply to provide information. It does not replace the medical advice of a physician. Please speak with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
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