What is chronic ear infection?

Chronic ear infection is an ear infection that does not heal. A recurring ear infection can act like a chronic ear infection. This is also known as recurring acute otitis media. The space behind the eardrum (the middle ear) is affected by this infection.

 

The eustachian tube, a tube that drains fluid from the middle ear, can become plugged and lead to an infection. This buildup of fluid in the middle ear presses on the eardrum, causing pain. If an infection progresses quickly or is left untreated it can cause the eardrum to rupture. Eustachian tubes in children are smaller and more horizontal, so they can become plugged more easily. This is one reason ear infections occur oftener in children.

 

What are the symptoms of chronic ear infection?

A chronic ear infection can cause milder symptoms than an acute ear infection. Symptoms may affect one or both ears and may be constant or come and go. Symptoms of a chronic ear infection include:

• feeling of pressure in the ear

• mild ear pain

• fluid draining from ears

• low fever

• hearing loss

• trouble sleeping

 

An infant with an ear infection may seem fussier than usual, especially when lying down, as this puts pressure on the ear. Your baby’s eating and sleeping habits may also change. Pulling and tugging on the ear can also be a sign of a chronic ear infection in infants. However, this can also be caused by teething or exploration of the body.

 

When to see your doctor about a Chronic Ear Infection

If you or your child is having symptoms of an acute ear infection, like ear pain, fever, and trouble hearing, you should see your doctor. Getting an acute ear infection treated promptly can help prevent a chronic ear infection. You should also see your doctor if:

• you have been diagnosed with an acute ear infection but it’s not responding to treatment recommended by your doctor

• you have been diagnosed with an acute ear infection and experience new symptoms, or if the symptoms get worse

• if your child shows symptoms of a recurring ear infection

 

Treatment options for Chronic Ear Infections

Chronic ear infections require medical treatment. However, home treatments can help relieve your symptoms. Home treatments include:

• holding a warm or cool washcloth to the painful area

• using numbing ear drops

• taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen

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Medication for Chronic Ear Infections

If you have a chronic ear infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. These may be taken orally or (rarely) given intravenously if the infection is severe. Your doctor may suggest ear drops if you have a hole (perforation) in the eardrum. But you shouldn’t use some types of ear drops if your ear drum has a perforation. Your doctor may also recommend antibiotic ear drops or suggest using a diluted vinegar solution.

 

Surgery for Chronic Ear Infections

Your doctor may recommend surgery for chronic ear infections that aren’t responding to treatment or are causing hearing problems. Hearing problems can be especially problematic in children. Hearing problems can cause speech and language problems at an important time in development.

 

Your doctor may surgically insert a small tube through the eardrum to connect the middle ear and the outer ear. Inserting ear tubes helps the fluid in the middle ear drain, which can reduce the number of infections and the severity of symptoms. Ear tubes are usually placed in both ears. This procedure is called a bilateral tympanostomy.

 

To do this procedure, a surgeon will make a tiny hole in the eardrum (myringotomy). The fluid will be suctioned out of the ear, and a small tube will be inserted through the hole. Tubes usually fall out on their own, about six to 18 months after they are inserted. You may need to have the tubes surgically removed if they don’t fall out.

 

Other types of surgery may be required if the infection has spread. There are small bones in the middle ear that may become infected. If this happens, surgery may be required to repair or replace them. A chronic ear infection can also damage the eardrum. If the eardrum isn’t healing properly, you may need surgery to repair damage.

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Rarely, the infection can spread to the mastoid bone, which is located behind the ear. Surgery is required to clean out the infection if it spreads to the mastoid bone. This is known as a mastoidectomy.

 

What are the consequences of untreated Chronic Ear Infections?

A chronic ear infection can cause several problems if left untreated. Possible complications include:

• hearing loss

• damage to the bones in the middle ear

• infection of the mastoid bone

• damage to the balance function in the ear

• drainage from a hole in the eardrum

• tympanosclerosis, a hardening of tissue in the ear

• cholesteatoma, a cyst in the middle ear

• facial paralysis

• inflammation around or in the brain

 

Preventing Chronic Ear Infections

There are a number of things you can do to help reduce your and your child’s risk of developing a chronic ear infection. Make sure to talk to your doctor if you have an acute ear infection so it can be treated and doesn’t become chronic.

 

It’s also important to stay up-to-date with vaccinations for influenza, pneumonia, and meningitis. Pneumococcal bacteria, which can cause both pneumonia and pneumococcal meningitis, also causes about half of middle ear infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

 

Other tips for preventing ear infections include:

• stopping smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke

• breastfeeding infants for the first year of life

• practicing good hygiene, including washing hands regularly

• avoid air pollutants such as a wood burning stove