Ear infections are a common condition and one of the leading reasons people visit a health care provider, especially for children. They happen when bacteria or viruses cause inflammation and fluid buildup in the ear.
Ear infections can affect different parts of the ear, including:
Some ear infections develop suddenly and clear up quickly. Others may come and go over time, which may be considered chronic ear infections.
Understanding the symptoms, causes and treatment options can help you know when to manage symptoms at home and when to seek medical care.
Ear infection symptoms can vary depending on the type of infection and a person’s age.
Common symptoms include:
Children and babies may also have symptoms such as:
If symptoms last longer than 48 hours or begin to worsen, contact your health care provider.
A middle ear infection, also called acute otitis media, happens when fluid builds up behind the eardrum and becomes infected.
The middle ear is connected to the back of the nose by the eustachian tubes, which help regulate air pressure and drain fluid from the ear. When these tubes become blocked, fluid can collect in the middle ear and lead to infection.
Middle ear infections often develop after illnesses that cause congestion or inflammation in the nose and throat.
Common causes include:
Children and infants are more likely to develop ear infections because their eustachian tubes are shorter, narrower and more horizontal than those in adults. This makes it easier for the tubes to become blocked.
Children may also develop ear infections more often because of:
Most children will experience at least one ear infection before age three.
In some cases, fluid remains in the middle ear after an infection has cleared. This condition is called otitis media with effusion.
This fluid buildup can last for weeks or months and may increase the risk of repeated ear infections, especially in children.
Treatment may include monitoring symptoms or procedures such as ear tubes, which help drain fluid and restore normal ventilation of the middle ear.
Treatment depends on several factors, including the person’s age, symptoms and the severity of the infection.
Many ear infections improve without antibiotics.
Health care providers may recommend watchful waiting for 48 to 72 hours in healthy children ages 2 and older who have mild symptoms.
Treatment options may include:
If symptoms worsen or the infection is caused by bacteria, antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the infection and prevent complications.
Children who develop frequent ear infections may benefit from ear tube surgery, which helps drain fluid and reduce the risk of future infections.
Contact your health care provider if symptoms last longer than 48 hours or worsen.
Seek medical care right away if you experience:
These symptoms may indicate a more serious infection or complications.
Inner ear infections are rare but can lead to more serious complications involving hearing or balance.
Symptoms may include:
If you experience these symptoms, see a health care provider to determine the cause.
Swimmer’s ear, also known as otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear canal. This area runs from the ear opening to the eardrum.
It often develops when water or moisture remains in the ear canal after swimming or bathing. This moist environment allows bacteria or fungi to grow.
Swimmer’s ear can also occur when the skin inside the ear canal becomes irritated or damaged.
Common causes include:
Signs may include:
Your health care provider may treat swimmer’s ear with prescription ear drops or creams.
Many ear infections improve without medication. There are steps you can take to help relieve discomfort at home.
These include:
If symptoms worsen or do not improve, contact your health care provider.
While ear infections cannot always be prevented, some steps may help reduce the risk.
Prevention tips include:
If you swim often, drying your ears can help prevent swimmer’s ear. Some providers recommend a mixture of equal parts rubbing alcohol and white vinegar to help remove moisture from the ear canal.
For infants, breastfeeding may help support the immune system and reduce infection risk. When bottle feeding, hold babies upright rather than feeding them while lying down.
If you or your child has symptoms of an ear infection, getting the right diagnosis can help relieve discomfort and prevent complications.
At Banner Health, our providers evaluate and treat ear infections in both children and adults. We offer personalized care plans designed to relieve symptoms, treat infection and protect long-term hearing health.
You can:
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