Date updated: June 01, 2009
Content provided by National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Also called: Inner Ear Infection, Middle Ear Infection, Otitis Media, Ear Infection, Glue Ear, Acute Otitis Media, AOM

Ear infections are common illnesses in neonates and pediatric patients. Otitis Media means the pathogenic infection of the middle ear. The semi circular canals inside the ears become clogged with mucus and fluid due to the bacterial infections. Otitis Media can affect hearing since the passage of sound is hindered by the mucus and fluid. If a child is not able to talk after two years of birth, one must look for signs of an infection. If the child keeps tugging at ears and is crying more than usual, there is ear drainage, or there is trouble in falling asleep or if sleeping of the child experiences difficulty in balancing, one must preclude the chance of Otitis Media.

Otitis Media is also known as Middle Ear Infection, Ear Infection, Glue Ear, Acute Otitis Media and AOM.

Ear infections self limiting, but severe infections and infections in young babies may require antibiotics. Children who get frequent infections may need surgery to place small tubes inside their ears. The tubes relieve pressure in the ears so that the child can hear again.