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Otitis Media
Otolaryngology
Otitis media is the inflammation of the middle ear (an air-filled space behind the eardrum).
Symptoms
Acute Otitis Media symptoms include:
Ear pain (Young children may hold, pull, or rub their ears to indicate discomfort) |
Yellow or green discharge from the ear |
Hearing loss |
Headache |
Fever |
Causes
Acute Otitis Media is typically also associated with respiratory diseases, the following are potential causes for acute Otitis Media:
- Upper respiratory tract infection A
- Laryngitis or Tonsillitis
- Ear
- Otitis
- Difficulty in eustachian tube function
Otitis media with effusion is often associated with fluid accumulation in the middle ear. Here are some causes that can lead to otitis media with effusion:
- A cholesteatoma occurs due to an infection, sensitivity or hypertrophy of proliferative glands, resulting in obstruction of the Eustachian tube, which makes the air pressure in the ear uncontrollable, and viscous fluid accumulates in the middle ear
- The effusion stays behind the eardrum, which is common in children aged two to six
Chronic otitis media is generally caused by incomplete recovery of acute otitis media. The following are common causes:
- Insufficient healing from acute otitis media which leads to long-term inflammation of the tympanic mucosa of the patient's ear, which may easily lead to perforation of the tympanic membrane
High risk individuals
Children especially those under 6 years old, this is because their eustachian tube is shorter, more prone to acute otitis media. |
People with immune system problems |
People with abnormal ear canal caused by congenital diseases, such as cleft lip and palate patients |
People suffering from allergic rhinitis, sinusitis or adenoid hypertrophy |
Diagnosis
Otoscopy | Check the inside of the ear through an otoscope to check for swelling or pus in the eardrum |
Ear secretion test | |
Tympanogram | Measure the pressure in the middle ear and the vibration of the eardrum to check for fluid accumulation |
Treatment
Acute Otitis Media |
If serious the doctor may perform an invasive procedure to let out fluid in your ear. |
Effusion Otitis Media |
In severe cases, the eardrum will be pierced to allow the placement of a middle ear vent tube to drain the fluid. |
Chronic Otitis Media |
|
Impact of Otitis Media
Typically, if acute Otitis Media is treated early on appropriately there will be no changes in hearing ability. However if left untreated acute Otitis Media can cause long-term inflammation accompanied by conductive hearing impairment, inner ear inflammation and even brain abscess and meningitis.
For example, if a child suffers from Otitis Media without timely treatment, it’s possible that it could cause hearing impairment which could subsequently impact language acquisition. Therefore timely treatment of otitis media is essential to preserve children's hearing and language development.
Prevention
- Minimize or avoid secondhand smoke
- Receiving the appropriate vaccinations for the seasonal influenza viruses under the “Hong Kong Childhood Immunization Programme”
- Smokers, diabetics and others with chronic diseases should receive the streptococcus pneumococcal vaccine and seasonal flu vaccines.
- If you are using a milk bottle to feed your baby, keep the baby in a more upright position
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- Acute Otitis Media from https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/patient_information_sheet_acute_otitis_media.pdf
- Bridge 68 - Studenthealth gov from https://www.studenthealth.gov.hk/tc_chi/newsletters/files/bridge68.pdf
- Middle ear infection (otitis media) | NHS inform from https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/middle-ear-infection-otitis-media
- Ear Infection (Otitis Media) : Symptoms, Causes & Treatment from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8613-ear-infection-otitis-media?view=print
- Ear Infections in Children, Babies & Toddlers - NIDCD from https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/ear-infections-children
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