WHAT IS MIDDLE EAR INFECTION?

The middle ear can become infected as a result of allergies, colds, sore throat or respiratory infection. Blockage of the eustachian tube, which connects with the middle ear, paves the way for otitis media. Although middle ear infection, also known as otitis media, is also seen in adults, it occurs more often in children and is painful.

 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MIDDLE EAR INFECTION?

Middle ear infection is more common in children. The symptoms of middle ear infection in adults may differ from those in children. Middle ear infection, which is mostly seen in autumn and winter months, can heal spontaneously or have a bad course.

Symptoms of Middle Ear Infection in Children

Symptoms of middle ear infection in children are usually sudden onset of ear pain and fever after a cold. In babies, symptoms are more common in the form of restlessness, fever, rubbing one's ear against the pillow, or putting one's hand to one's ear.

In general, symptoms of middle ear infection in children are as follows:

• Earache

• sleep problem

• Weakness

• Restlessness and crying

• Hearing problems

• loss of balance

• High fever

• discharge from ear

• Loss of appetite

• Itching and irritation in and around the ear

Symptoms of Middle Ear Infection in Adults

Symptoms of middle ear infection may differ in adults. Usually the first symptom is pain and a feeling of stuffy ears. In general, symptoms of middle ear infection in adults are as follows:

• Earache

• Clogged ear feeling

• ear discharge

• Hearing problems

• tinnitus

• Fire

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WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF MIDDLE EAR INFECTION?

The causes of middle ear infection may be of different origins. 

• Originated from the Eustachian tube: Middle ear infection, that is, otitis media, is mostly seen in children. Although otitis media is less common in adults, it can lead to more serious problems. The most important reason why middle ear infection is more common in children is due to the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube, which helps regulate the air pressure in the middle ear, renew the air in the ear, and evacuate normal secretions from the middle ear, is shorter, more horizontal, and wider in children. This makes it difficult to remove the fluid accumulated inside, increasing the possibility of clogging.

• Originated from adenoid: Adenoid, i.e. adenoid It is located near the opening of the Eustachian canal. Swelling of the adenoid, which is larger in children than in adults, due to various reasons, increases the risk of ear infection.

• Age: middle ear infection is more common between 6 months and 2 years of age.

• Premature birth or low birth weight

• Personal risk factors such as cleft palate, head-facial anomalies or Down syndrome

• Frequent upper respiratory tract infections in autumn and winter

• nurseries

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HOW TO UNDERSTAND MIDDLE EAR INFECTION? WHAT IS THE DIAGNOSIS?

An Ear Nose and Throat doctor can diagnose a middle ear infection based on the symptoms of the disease and examination. During the examination, the doctor will look at the ears, throat and nose with a lighted device to check whether there is a problem in the passageways. In acute otitis media, the eardrum usually appears red and bulged. In chronic otitis media, perforation, collapse, or adhesion of the eardrum to the middle ear may occur. In cases where the eardrum is perforated and there is discharge, a culture sample can be taken from the discharge to understand which bacteria is causing the otitis media.

A number of additional tests and examinations may be performed to confirm the diagnosis of otitis media.

• Pneumatic otoscope: It is a tool used to diagnose otitis media. While very light air is blown into the eardrum with a pneumatic otoscope, the doctor examines whether there is fluid accumulation behind the eardrum.

• Tympanometer: With this test, eardrum movement is measured to get an idea about the pressure in the middle ear.

• Acoustic reflectometry: This test measures how much sound is reflected from the eardrum. The eardrum, which should absorb most of the sound, reflects the sound back if there is fluid in the middle ear.

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