Otitis Media
The information here is not
intended to replace professional advice or care.
The most common cause of conductive hearing loss in children is otitis
media, a condition of the middle ear. The middle ear is a
small cavity located behind the eardrum that contains air and the ossicles,
tiny bones in the ear that transmit sound from the eardrum to the inner
ear. In the inner ear, nerves are stimulated to relay sound signals
to the brain. The eustachian tube, when it functions normally, connects
the middle ear cavity to the back of the throat, ventilating and equalizing
pressure in the middle ear. Your ears "pop" when you yawn or swallow
because the eustachian tube is adjusting the air pressure in the middle
ear. Otitis media frequently occurs with respiratory infections as
the nasal membranes and eustachian tube become swollen and congested. |
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Most middle ear problems occur in the winter months.
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Smoking in the house increases the risk of middle ear infections.
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Children with respiratory allergies have a greater incidence
of otitis media.
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Ear infections are second only to routine well-baby visits
as the most common reason for office visits to physicians.
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There are two primary types of otitis media:
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Acute Otitis Media (AOM).
An AOM episode is characterized by sudden onset of ear pain that may be
associated with ear fullness, fever, restlessness and hearing loss.
AOM will usually respond to medical treatment. In some cases, AOM
may result in a rupture or perforation of the eardrum with drainage into
the ear canal. If left untreated, such ear infections may lead to
more severe middle and inner ear conditions. More than 85% of all
children will experience at least one ear infection. Two out of three
children under the age of 3 years (67%) will experience at least one episode
of AOM.
-
Otitis Media with Effusion (OME).
Otitis media with effusion (fluid) may follow an episode of AOM.
OME also may occur without prior ear infection, when the eustachian tube
is not functioning to ventilate the ear and middle ear fluid develops.
In OME, fluid persists in the middle ear space, often for long periods
of time, usually resulting in hearing loss. When fluid is
present in the middle ear, it impedes the vibration of the tympanic membrane,
as well as the movement of the middle ear bones.
The treatment
of AOM usually includes antibiotics, possibly combined with other medications,
as prescribed by your physician. Otitis media may respond readily
to medical intervention, or the symptoms may resolve spontaneously.
Once resolved, any associated hearing loss and other complications typically
also resolve.
When OME is
unresolved, hearing loss usually persists, and ventilation or pressure
equalizing (PE) tubes may be inserted into the eardrum by your physician.
These tubes may remain in the ear for several months of even a few years.
Parents are
often concerned about the possibility of permanent hearing loss with recurring
infections. All children should be evaluated by an audiologist
to
document the status of their hearing mechanism. Complete hearing
evaluations should be performed by an audiologist before and after
any medical treatment.
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The most common cause of conductive hearing loss in children is otitis
media, a condition of the middle ear. The middle ear is a
small cavity located behind the eardrum that contains air and the ossicles,
tiny bones in the ear that transmit sound from the eardrum to the inner
ear. In the inner ear, nerves are stimulated to relay sound signals
to the brain. The eustachian tube, when it functions normally, connects
the middle ear cavity to the back of the throat, ventilating and equalizing
pressure in the middle ear. Your ears "pop" when you yawn or swallow
because the eustachian tube is adjusting the air pressure in the middle
ear. Otitis media frequently occurs with respiratory infections as
the nasal membranes and eustachian tube become swollen and congested.