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

Although there are a number of suggested home remedies for the treatment of ear infections, including humidified air, homeopathic treatments, naturopathic ear drops, decongestants, and antihistamines; there are limited studies suggesting the benefits of these measures over accepted and recommended treatments. Both oral and topical analgesics are effective in controlling the pain associated with ear infections, but the use of decongestants or antihistamines has not been demonstrated to improve symptoms or speed the resolution of acute otitis media.

In some patients that are ill from other diseases, have pus draining from the ear, or are immunocompromised, there is a danger that otitis media, especially bacterial-caused, may invade the mastoid bone and reach the brain. These patients need to be seen urgently by a medical caregiver; do not delay their treatment by trying home remedies.

The Eustachian tube normally prevents the accumulation of fluid by allowing fluid to drain through the tube. Chronic otitis media develops over time, and often starts with a chronic middle ear effusion (fluid) that does not resolve. This persistent fluid will often become contaminated with bacteria, and the bacteria found in chronic otitis media are often different from those found in acute otitis media. Therefore, anything that disturbs the function of the Eustachian tube can lead to chronic otitis media.

The eardrum (tympanic membrane) has three delicate layers that help keep the eardrum thin, but strong. A chronic middle ear infection causes changes in the eardrum that weaken it, and often lead to a hole in the eardrum (tympanic membrane perforation). Eventually, the eardrum looses its strength and begins to collapse into the middle ear space.

When the eardrum collapses, it can attach to the other middle ear structures. It is frequently seen draped around the middle ear bones (ossicles) or the inner wall of the middle ear (promontory). This disrupts the conduction of sound through the middle ear, and may diminish hearing.