Ear Infections

Ear infections are one of the most common reasons patients, especially children, end up in an ENT's office. Here's the chain of events behind them.

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How It Happens

Step by Step

A quick walkthrough of what's actually going on, so the treatment makes sense too.

1
The eustachian tube swells. A cold, allergies, or general irritation causes the small tube connecting the middle ear to the throat to swell shut.
2
Fluid gets trapped. With the tube blocked, fluid that would normally drain builds up behind the eardrum.
3
Bacteria or viruses multiply. Trapped fluid is a breeding ground, and an infection can take hold within days.
4
Pressure and inflammation build. The trapped, infected fluid pushes against the eardrum, causing pain, muffled hearing, and sometimes fever.

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Signs to Watch For

Common Symptoms

Ear pain, sometimes sudden and sharp, sometimes a dull ache.
Muffled hearing or a feeling of fullness in the affected ear.
Fluid drainage from the ear if the eardrum is under enough pressure.
Fussiness or tugging at the ear in babies and young children who can't describe the pain.
Trouble sleeping from pressure that worsens lying down.

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Treatment Options

Many infections resolve with medication. For recurring infections, especially in children, ear tubes provide lasting drainage and prevent the cycle from repeating.

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Ear Infections

Step by Step

Common Symptoms

Treatment Options

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