Ear Infections & Hearing Loss

All about ear infections

There are many different types of ear infections affecting all parts of your ear and they all have the potential to cause hearing loss. Swimmers’ ears is a common cause of ear infections in which water gets trapped in the ear, often after swimming. The most common cause of infection, especially in children is ear infections affecting the middle ear. Also called acute otitis media, middle ear infections can cause extreme ear pain and swelling, causing fluid to build up behind the eardrum. When the middle ear fills and swells the flexibility of the eardrum and middle ear bones becomes compromised causing hearing loss.  This build-up can reduce the mobility of the eardrum and middle ear bones, leading to trouble hearing. While hearing loss due to an ear infection can be alarming, it is important to stay calm. In most cases, if treated correctly hearing will return as the swelling from ear infections subsides. Even so it is important to know the causes and signs that you or a loved one is suffering from an ear infection, so the proper treatment can be received.

Causes of ear infections

Swimmer’s ear is explanatory in a way as water allows for bacteria to grow in the ear, causing infection. Middle ear infections tend to develop most often in tandem with an upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold. The respiratory infection causes swelling in the back of the throat which can block what is known as the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube is a canal that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx, which includes the throat and nasal cavity, controlling pressure within the middle ear and ensuring it is equal with the air pressure outside the body.  When the Eustachian tube is closed due to infection it can no longer drain or regulate pressure, which causes an infection. This can be painful but also interfere with normal functions of the ear causing dizziness and temporary hearing loss. Other common causes of ear infections include:

• Allergies.

• Smoking.

• Swollen adenoids around your tonsils

• Changes in air pressure.

Ear infections symptoms

The majority of ear infections occur in the middle ear (otitis media). Because middle ear infections occur usually due to upper respiratory infections, symptoms are often congruent with common cold symptoms including sinus pressure, sore throat, and runny nose. Often when an ear infection develops from a cold, symptoms include pain, fever, and discharge from the ear canal. If you find that you are suffering from constant earache, a feeling of pressure in the ears, difficulty hearing or understanding speech, or feeling of dizziness and associated nausea then there is a good chance you are dealing with a middle ear infection.

Inner ear infections are more often caused by inflammation or irritation to the portion of the ears which keep us balanced, also known as the labyrinthitis. The symptoms of an inner and middle ear infection are often similar so it is best to consult your doctor to understand the best way to treat your infection.

Treating ear infections

In treating a middle ear infection first the pain must be reduced, as the inflammation can be very painful and grating. An over-the- counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen or acetaminophen is often prescribed to reduce swelling. Often doctors will often wait 48 hours to see if ear infections will resolve themselves before prescribing antibiotics to clear an ear infection. It is usually an oral antibiotic like amoxicillin that is used to clear the problem. In most cases the infection will clear in the first two or three days, allowing the Eustachian tube to drain, however it is important to finish the prescribed dose of antibiotics so the infection does not return.

How to prevent ear infections

The good news is that when ear infections clear your hearing will return to normal. Still, you probably don’t want to deal with another ear infection any time soon. It can often be hard to avoid the common cold, which is the most common cause of ear infections. Make sure to eat a healthy balanced diet full of vegetables, get plenty of rest and wash your hands regularly.