The space behind the eardrum but in front of the cochlea is called the middle ear. This area houses the three ossicles, or tiny bones, that vibrate the membranes of the inner ear. An infection in this area tends to be very painful because it puts pressure on the eardrum, usually until it actually breaks. The infectious material accumulates and blocks the ear canal enough to hinder the movement of sound waves.
Usually, hearing will come back in the course of time. Hearing will come back after the pressure dissipates permitting the ear canal to open up.
The issue will only be resolved when the infection gets better. Sometimes there are complications, however. Ear infections affect most people at least once in their life. For other people, the issues become chronic, so they have infections over and over.
Chronic ear infections can result in problems that mean a more significant and maybe even permanent loss of hearing, especially if the issues are left untreated. Chronic ear infections can cause conductive hearing loss. Infections of the cochlea can cause sudden hearing loss that might be irreversible. Most ear infections clear up quickly when children receive proper medical care, although some children just seem to have one ear infection after the other.
When infections are frequent, there is an increased risk of these complications:. Ear infections can result in hearing loss. Infection causes the ear canal to swell, which blocks or muffles the sound. Sometimes the condition is temporary. Whenever we swallow, a small muscle flexes and opens the tube, allowing air pressure equalisation and the drainage of secretions. If the Eustachian tube is blocked, secretions and associated bacteria build up inside the middle ear. This can cause ear infections, mild deafness and an increased likelihood of a ruptured eardrum.
Causes of ear infections Some of the many causes of ear infection and contributing risk factors include: upper respiratory tract infections sudden changes in air pressure — such as during airline travel smaller than average Eustachian tubes, or a blocked Eustachian tube cleft palate young age — babies and children are more prone to ear infections swimming in polluted water failing to dry the outer ear properly after swimming or bathing overzealous cleaning of the ears, which can scratch the delicate tissues.
Types of ear infections Ear infections are diagnosed by physical examination and laboratory analysis of pus or discharge. In some cases, CT scans may also be taken. Types of ear infection include: otitis externa otitis media — acute or chronic serous otitis media infectious myringitis acute mastoiditis vestibular neuronitis herpes zoster of the ear. Otitis externa Otitis externa is an infection or inflammation of the ear canal between the eardrum and the outer ear.
It can be triggered by exposure to dirty water or by mechanical damage due to overzealous cleaning. The infectious agent can be either fungal or bacterial. Treatment options include: professional cleaning of the ear canal, although syringing the ear should usually be avoided eardrops containing antibiotics and steroids, if the infection is bacterial in origin oral antibiotics ear drops containing antifungal medications and steroids, if the infection is fungal in origin pain-relieving medications keeping ears dry.
Otitis media Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear, which can be either acute or chronic. Children are most commonly affected by acute otitis media because it is caused by colds and blocked Eustachian tubes — both typical ailments of childhood.
The infectious agent can be either viral or bacterial, with research suggesting that viruses are responsible for most cases. Sometimes the eardrum will burst, leading to pus in the ear canal, but usually the eardrum will heal up again by itself.
Treatment options include: pain-relieving medications antibiotics — if the infection is bacterial in origin eardrops — if there is pus in the ear canal.
Frequent bouts of acute otitis media or one lingering attack can lead to chronic otitis media. Without medical intervention, the chronic infection can burst the eardrum or damage the delicate structures within the middle ear. Other possible complications of untreated chronic otitis media include meningitis, infection of the balance organs within the ear labyrinthitis , sensorineural deafness permanent hearing loss and paralysis of the face.
Treatment options include: thorough cleaning of the ear and use of topical antibiotic drops with or without steroids medication to treat the infection surgical repair of the perforated eardrum prevention strategies to reduce the risk of another infection. Serous otitis media Serous otitis media is known as glue ear. The answer to this question might be more challenging than you may think. There are quite a few variables to consider. You should learn how the damage caused by ear infections can end up affecting your hearing.
Simply put, otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. It could possibly be any kind of microorganism causing the infection however bacteria is the most common. The main way an infection is specified is by what part of the ear it occurs in. If the bacterial growth occurs in the cochlea, the medical term is labyrinthitis or inner ear infection. The middle ear is comprised of the space behind the eardrum but in front of the cochlea.
The membranes of the inner ear are vibrated by three little bones called ossicles which are located in this area. The eardrum will often actually break because of the pressure from this sort of infection, which is likely to be quite painful.
This pressure is not only very painful, it causes hearing loss. The ear canal can be blocked by infectious material which can then cause a loss of hearing. Usually, hearing will return eventually.
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