Otitis media - chronic

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Ear anatomy

Ear tube insertion - series

Middle ear infection

Middle ear infection (otitis media)

Middle ear infection - chronic; Ear infection - chronic; Chronic otitis media; Chronic ear infection

Treatment is focused on relief of symptoms and cure of the infection.

Antibiotics may be prescribed if the infection appears bacterial. Antibiotic treatment is usually long-term and may be oral or in the form of antibiotic ear drops if there is a hole in the eardrum.

Surgical removal of the adenoids may be necessary to allow the eustachian tube to open. A surgical opening may be made in the eardrum (myringotomy) to allow fluid to drain. This may or may not include placement of drainage tubes in the ear. Surgical repair of a ruptured eardrum may prevent further chronic ear infections.

Keep the ears clean and dry to prevent reinfection. This is particularly important if myringotomy has been performed.

Chronic otitis usually responds to treatment, but treatment may be prolonged (over several months). The disorder is usually not a threat to life but may be uncomfortable and may result in serious complications.

• Permanent damage to the ear with partial or complete deafness
• Mastoiditis
• Cholesteatoma (middle ear cyst)
• Epidural abscess (inflammation around the brain)
• Facial paralysis

Most children will have temporary and minor hearing loss during and right after an ear infection, because fluid can linger in the ear. Although this fluid can go unnoticed, it can cause significant hearing problems in children. Any fluid in the ear that persists longer than 8-12 weeks is cause for concern -- in children, hearing problems may cause speech to develop slowly.

Permanent hearing loss is rare, but the risk increases the more infections a child has.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you or your child has signs of chronic otitis media, including an episode of acute otitis media that does not respond to treatment.

Call your health care provider if chronic otitis media does not respond to treatment, or if new symptoms develop during or after treatment.

Review Date: 04/28/2006
Reviewed By: Alden J. Pearl M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.