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Middle Ear Infections And Your Child: Frequently Asked Questions

27 April 2022

Edward Payne

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA, approximately 50 percent of babies will have at least one ear infection before the age of two. Ear infections (or "otitis media") are very common in young children, and unfortunately, because your infant cannot speak and younger children often cannot express where they are experiencing pain, it can be difficult to determine that your child has an ear infection and requires treatment. Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions you might have about middle ear infections.

What Are the Symptoms of an Ear Infection in Children?

When an ear infection is referred to as otitis media, it means there is an infection in the middle ear, which is located behind the eardrum. Unfortunately, if your child is non-verbal because of their age or simply cannot express they are in pain, it can be difficult to determine if your child has an ear infection. This makes it especially important to know the signs and symptoms of a middle ear infection, which include:

• Issues sleeping
• Fever
• Crying or irritability
• Tugging at the ears
• Issues with hearing and responding

Sometimes, a child with a middle ear infection will have trouble with their balance and will appear clumsy or trip often. This is because fluid in the middle ear, which is the most typical cause of ear infections in babies and children, causes issues with balance.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Ear Infections in Children?

A middle ear infection occurs when fluid becomes trapped in the middle ear and the fluid buildup leads to an infection. Often, children will develop an ear infection after a cold or sinus infection. This is because the inner ear is connected to the sinuses and if the fluid in the ear cannot drain effectively, it will build up and become infected.

Children are more prone to ear infections because the Eustachian tubes in their ears are smaller, thinner, and less developed than the tubes in adults.

How Will My Doctor Diagnose and Treat My Child's Ear Infection?

In addition to taking a thorough medical history, the doctor will examine your child's ears and can often diagnose an ear infection just by the presence of fluid, redness, and irritation in the middle ear. The most common treatment for a bacterial ear infection is antibiotics. You can help your child feel better by providing them with an over-the-counter pain reliever and with gentle heat, which will encourage the ears to drain.

Otitis media, or a middle ear infection, is a common condition in children and babies. Contact a family doctor with any additional questions or if you suspect your child has an ear infection.  

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