When people experience pain in either or both of their ears, most ignore it because very often, the pain just goes away after a while. In fact, most people in their lifetime never see an otolaryngologist because they only take issues with this organ seriously when there is severe pain or a noticeable hearing challenge.
We don’t hear much about otolaryngologists, so, we will briefly go over who they are and what they do. Otolaryngologists are quite different from audiologists. They are physicians who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ears, throat, nose and mouth. Being trained in both medicine and surgery, these professionals typically treat hearing losses that require surgical treatment or procedures. Visit here to learn more about otolaryngologists.
Audiologists, on the other hand, are licensed hearing professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating balance disorders and hearing loss in adults and children. Their services typically include:
- Speech and hearing rehabilitation programs
- Hearing aids fitting and maintenance
- Treatment for balance disorders
- Hearing exams
With that out of the way, let us go over what ear infections are and their causes before we discuss how to know if it is time to visit the ER when going through one.
Ear infections and causes
Medically, the term “ear infection”, which can also be known as ”acute otitis media,” refers to a type of infection localized in the part of the ear known as the Tympanic Cavity. You will also hear it referred to as “the middle ear.” The Tympanic Cavity is the space after the eardrum, which is filled with air. This is also where the tiny bones that vibrate in the ear are found. This condition can affect both adults and children, but it has been found to be the most common cause of children’s visits to healthcare providers.
As we mentioned earlier, in many cases, the condition goes away on its own, however, doctors may prescribe some medication to help relieve the pain. But if after a while the condition doesn’t improve or worsens, your healthcare provider may prescribe an antibiotic.
It is worth noting that for children below the age of 2 years, this condition is usually treated with antibiotics. We must also point out that even when you no longer feel any pain, it is important to visit your healthcare provider to ensure the condition is completely gone.
Both adults and children can have ear infections, as we mentioned earlier. But it is more common in children than in adults with children between the ages of 3 months and 3 years being the most affected. In fact, studies show that about 25% of children will have repeat ear infections.
This condition is caused by bacteria and viruses. Very often, it results after another illness, usually a cold, flu, allergy or respiratory infection. The bacterium or virus gets into the Tympanic Cavity through the Eustachian tube, which is present in each ear and connects the cavity to the rear of the throat. The bacterium or virus could also cause the tube to swell, which leads to the build-up of a fluid that is naturally produced but should be drained away. This fluid is known as endolymph. Click here to learn more.
Symptoms of acute otitis media
If you notice the following symptoms, there is a chance that you might be suffering from acute otitis media:
- Pain in the ear: For adults and older children, this can be easy to pick up on. But for infants too young to speak, you can tell if they are constantly rubbing their ears, acting irritable or crying more than usual.
- Fever: This is also another common symptom, especially in children with experts saying that about 50% of children will experience a fever with this condition.
- Loss of appetite: This symptom may be more pronounced in children still being fed with bottles. As the child swallows, there is a pressure change in the Tympanic Cavity, which causes more pain and less desire to eat.
- Drainage from the ear: White, yellow or brown fluids seeping from the ear is also a common symptom and could mean that the eardrum is ruptured.
- Trouble sleeping: The affected person might have trouble sleeping as the pressure in the area may worsen when lying down.
- Trouble hearing: The bones in the Tympanic Cavity are connected to the nerves that send signals (sounds) to the brain. When clogged with fluids, movement of these signals may slow down, causing problems with hearing.
When should you visit the ER?
So, should you go to the ER for an ear infection immediately when you notice it, or should you wait and see if it goes away itself? Well, as we have already established, this condition usually heals without much human intervention. But if the following happens, you might want to see your physician as soon as possible:
- Symptoms persist for more than a few days
- Pain is severe and unbearable
- Discharge of fluid, blood or pus
- Difficulty moving parts of the face
- Swelling under the ear.
Final thoughts
To prevent the condition from getting worse, visit your healthcare provider if any of the above happens. An early visit to the physician could prevent any possible complications if treatment is started right away.
Article written by Deo Fuerte
This article was written by the guest author listed at the end of the article.