1. Anatomy of an Ear Infection Slideshow Pictures
2. Ear Infection Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
3. Tinnitus (Ringing of the Ears) Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

Dr. Perlstein received his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati and then completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at The New York Hospital, Cornell medical Center in New York City. After serving an additional year as Chief Pediatric Resident, he worked as a private practitioner and then was appointed Director of Ambulatory Pediatrics at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

View Full Profile

In this Article

• Otitis media (ear infection or inflammation) facts
• What is otitis media?
• What are the symptoms of acute middle ear infection?
• "Are ear infections contagious?
• How common is acute otitis media?
• Why do young children tend to have middle ear infections or inflammation?
• How does the Eustachian tube change as a child gets older?
• What microorganisms cause otitis media?
• What is the relationship between bottlefeeding and middle ear infection or inflammation?
• What are the risk factors for acute middle ear infection or inflammation?
• How is otitis media diagnosed?
• How is acute middle ear infection or inflammation treated?
• Are there any home remedies for acute ear infection (otitis media)?
• What causes chronic middle ear infection or inflammation?
• What happens to the eardrum in chronic middle ear infection or inflammation?
• What happens to the eardrum if a hole develops in the eardrum?
• How is chronic middle ear infection or inflammation treated?
• What are the goals of otitis media surgery?
• What is serious middle ear infection or inflammation?
• What limitations are there on a child with middle ear infection or inflammation?
• Can otitis media (middle ear infection or inflammation) be prevented?
• Ear Infection (Otitis Media) FAQs
• Patient Comments: Ear Infection (Otitis Media) - Symptoms
• Patient Comments: Otitis Media - Effective Treatments
• Find a local Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor in your town
• Ear Infection Index

Young children with otitis media may be irritable, fussy, or have problems feeding or sleeping. Older children may complain about pain and fullness in the ear (earache). Fever may be present in a child of any age. These symptoms are often associated with signs of upper respiratory infection such as a runny or stuffy nose, or a cough.

The buildup of pus within the middle ear causes pain and dampens the vibrations of the eardrum (so there is usually temporary hearing loss during the infection).

Severe ear infections may cause the eardrum to rupture. The pus then drains from the middle ear into the ear canal. The hole in the eardrum from the rupture usually heals with medical treatment.

Otitis media is the most common diagnosis in sick children in the U.S. It is estimated that 75% of all children experience at least one episode before the age of three.

Ear infections are not contagious; however, many children develop ear infections following a cold or other viral infection, and those infections are contagious.

The Eustachian tube, a canal that runs from the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat, is shorter and more horizontal in young children than in older children and adults. This allows easier entry into the middle ear for the microorganisms that cause infection and lead to otitis media. The result is that children are at greater risk of acquiring ear infections than adults.