OTITIS MEDIA (MIDDLE EAR INFECTIONS)
Otitis media means inflammation of the middle ear. The inflammation occurs as a result of a middle ear infection. It can occur in one or both ears. Otitis media is the most frequent diagnosis recorded for children who visit physicians for illness. It is also the most common cause of hearing loss in children. Although otitis media is most common in young children, it also affects adults occasionally. It occurs most commonly in the winter and early spring months.
Is it serious?
Yes, it is serious because of the severe earache and hearing loss 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. Otitis media is also serious because the infection can spread to nearby structures in the head, especially the mastoid. Thus, it is very important to recognize the symptoms (see list) of otitis media and to get immediate attention from your doctor.
How does the ear work?
The outer ear collects sounds. The middle ear is a pea sized, air-filled cavity separated from the outer ear by the paper-thin eardrum. Attached to the eardrum are three tiny ear bones. When sound waves strike the eardrum, it vibrates and sets the bones in motion that transmit to the inner ear. The inner ear converts vibrations to electrical signals and sends these signals to the brain. It also helps maintain balance. A healthy middle ear contains air at the same atmospheric pressure as outside of the ear, allowing free vibration. Air enters the middle ear through the narrow eustachian tube that connects the back of the nose to the ear. When you yawn and hear a pop, your eustachian tube has just sent a tiny air bubble from your nose to your middle ear to equalize the air pressure.
What causes otitis media?
Blockage of the eustachian tube during a cold, allergy, or upper respiratory infection and the presence of bacteria or viruses lead to the accumulation of fluid (a build-up of pus and mucus) behind the eardrum. Immaturity of the eustachian tube, familial allergies, second hand smoke, and large day cares predispose to ear infections. 75% of all children suffer at least one ear infection by the age of three. 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. Sometimes the eardrum ruptures, and pus drains out of the ear. But more commonly, the pus and mucus remain in the middle ear due to the swollen and inflamed eustachian tube. This is called middle ear effusion or serous otitis media. Often after the acute infection has passed, the effusion remains and becomes thicker and more difficult to get rid of. This condition makes one subject to frequent recurrences of the acute infection and may cause difficulty with hearing and balance.
What are the symptoms?
In infants and toddlers look for:
· Pulling or scratching at the ear, especially if accompanied by the following…
· Hearing problems
· Crying, irritability
· Fever
· Vomiting
· Ear drainage
In young children, adolescents, and adults look for:
· Earache
· Feeling of fullness or pressure
· Hearing problems
· Dizziness, loss of balance
· Nausea, vomiting
· Ear drainage
· Fever
Remember, without proper treatment, damage from an ear infection can cause chronic or permanent hearing loss.
What will happen at the doctor’s office?
During an examination, the doctor will use an instrument called a otoscope to assess the ear’s condition. With it, the doctor will perform an examination to check for 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 doesn’t move and/or is red, an ear infection is probably present. Two other tests may be performed for more information. An audiogram tests if hearing loss has occurred by presenting tones at various pitches. A tympanogram measures the air pressure in the middle ear to see how well the eustachian tube is working and how well the eardrum can move.
The Importance of Medication
The doctor may prescribe one or more medications. It is important that all the medication(s) be taken as directed and that any follow-up visits be kept. Often, antibiotics to fight the infection will make the earache go away rapidly, but the infection may need more time to clear up. So, be sure that the medication is taken for the full time your doctor has indicated. Other medications that your doctor may prescribe include an antihistamine (for allergies), a decongestant (especially with a cold), or both. Sometimes the doctor may recommend a medication to reduce fever and/or pain. Analgesic ear drops can ease the pain of an earache. Call your doctor if you have any questions about you or your child’s medication or if symptoms do not clear.
What other treatment may be necessary?
Most of the time, otitis media clears up with proper medication and home treatment. In many cases, however, your physician may recommend further treatment. An operation, called a myringotomy may be recommended. This involves a small surgical incision (opening) into the eardrum to promote drainage of fluid and to relieve pain. The incision heals within a few days with practically no scarring or injury to the eardrum. In fact, the surgical opening can heal so fast that it often closes before the infection and the fluid are gone. A ventilation tube can be placed in the incision to keep it open and ventilate the middle ear thus preventing the reaccumulation of fluid. This also improves the hearing and balance. We will often test the patient for allergies to see if other therapies may be of benefit.
What about ventilation tubes?
We generally places tubes for one of three reasons, worrisome changes and retractions of the ear drum that if allowed to progress would necessitate more extensive surgery, recurrent infections, and prolonged hearing loss. Recurrent infections represent the most common indication. Ventilation tubes are certainly more desirable than chronic or recurrent use of antibiotics. If a child retains an effusion and conductive hearing loss for more than 2-3 months we may consider tympanostomy tubes as hearing well during these formative years is so important. Worrisome changes to the eardrum are fairly rare but certainly warrant immediate intervention.
The procedure
The procedure really takes only minutes. In adults the tubes can be placed in the clinic. Children are generally sedated with gas anesthesia administered by a mask. No I.V. or intubation is required. No preoperative labs are required. The child simply breathes the anesthetic while the tubes are inserted and the ear is carefully examined. Following this the child just breaths room air or oxygen and awakens. He or she is then free to go home. The surgeon selects a ventilation tube for your child that will remain in place for as long as required for the middle ear infection to improve and for the eustachian tube to return to normal. This may require several weeks or months. Most people notice a remarkable improvement in hearing and balance as well as marked a decrease in the frequency of ear infections.
Postoperatively
After your child gets tubes you will be given antibiotic eardrops to be used for a couple of days postoperatively to prevent any clogging of the tube. You will often be given a follow up appointment and at some time also have a hearing test. With the average set of tubes you can expect them to just grow out and the eardrum to heal itself in 6 to 12 months. During this time, you should be aware of getting water in the ears. It is generally a good idea to administer the eardrops we have given you after prolonged bathing or swimming. Ear plugs are never a bad idea but have never proven themselves effective in any controlled studies. I advocate using them only if they are not a bother. We generally follow the patients every 3-4 months after this to ensure proper healing and development. Remember, 80% of patients who require tubes only need one set. However, otitis media may persist and recur as a result of chronically infected adenoids and tonsils. If this becomes a problem, your doctor may recommend removal of one or both. This is usually done at the same time as the second set of ventilation tubes are inserted. Allergies may also require investigation and treatment.
So, remember . . .
Otitis media is generally not serious if it is promptly and properly treated. 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/she tells you that the condition is fully cured. Although we perform thousands of typmanostomy tubes, we realize that any procedure on your child is a big deal. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions.