Symptoms, Causes, and How NCEENT Treats Ear Infections

Ear Infection Overview


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Otitis Media means inflammation of the middle ear. The inflammation occurs as a result of a middle ear infection and may occur in both ears.  It is also the most common cause of hearing loss in children and  also affects adults occasionally.

Otitis Media Symptoms

  • Pulling or scratching at the ear
  • Hearing problems
  • Crying and irritability
  • Fever
  • Vomiting
  • Ear drainage
  • In adolescents and adults look for earache, feeling of fullness or pressure, hearing problems, dizziness, loss of balance, nausea, ear drainage and fever.

Otitis Media Causes

Otitis Media is caused by a blockage of the eustachian tube during a cold, allergy, or upper respiratory infection and the presence of bacteria or viruses leading to an accumulation of fluid (a build-up of pus and mucus) behind the eardrum.

The build-up of pressurized pus in the middle ear causes earache, swelling and redness. Since the eardrum cannot vibrate properly, you or your child may have hearing problems.

Otitis Media Examination

During an examination, the doctor will use an instrument called an Otoscope to assess the ear’s condition . With the Otoscope, the doctor will perform an examination to check for ear infection, redness in the ear and/or fluid behind the eardrum.

With the gentle use of air pressure, the doctor can also see if the eardrum moves. If the eardrum does not move and/or is red, an ear infection is probably present. Further evaluation may include an assessment by an Audiologist.

With the help of your physician, you and /or your child can feel and hear better very soon. Be sure to follow the treatment plan and see your physician until he or she tells you that the condition is fully cured.

Otitis Media is serious because of the severe ear pain and hearing loss and other complications it can create. Hearing loss, especially in children, may impair learning capacity and even delay speech development. However, if it is treated promptly and effectively, hearing can almost always be restored to normal.

Pediatric Services Available

At NCEENT, we take care of each child as if they were our own. By offering a wide range of pediatric services, including pediatric ear infections care, our providers treat a vast number of common disorders.

North Carolina EENT has offices in Cary, Durham, and Chapel Hill for treatment of Tinnitus

Contact us today!  Make an appointment at one of our nearby offices, to discuss treatment options.