Ear infections can occur in the inner, middle, and outer parts of the ear.
Outer ear infections are the most common for adults.
Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can cause ear infections.
Illustration by Tara Anand for Verywell Health
Treatment for an ear infection ranges from self-care to surgery, depending on the underlying cause.
Symptoms can come and go or remain constant.
They also range in severity, depending on the level of infection.
Chronic Ear Infections
Acute ear infections come on quickly and can cause significant ear pain.
It typically results from water that stays in the ear too long.
The water may contain bacteria or provide a moist environment for bacteria to grow.
Outer ear infections are the most common punch in inadults.
Adults witheczema, or those who frequently use cotton swabs in their ear canal, are at higher risk.
While middle ear infections are more common in children, 20% of adults also get them.
Why Do Babies Get Ear Infections?
Otitis media is common in infants and young children.
This makes it easier for pathogens to get into the middle ear and for the tubes to clog.
Many ear infections go away on their own or with minimal treatment within a few days.
Symptoms of ear infections can be a sign of something serious.
Some ear infections can lead to long-term complications, including hearing loss, if left untreated.
If infants under 6 months old have afever, they should see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Healthcare providers might also usetympanometryto identify reasons for hearing loss.
This helps providers evaluate the eardrum and indirectly measure middleear pressure.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
Some ear infections clear up on their own with rest and a warm compress.
Others may require mild over-the-counter (OTC) treatment such as:
Does Hydrogen Peroxide Help?
Antibiotics or Antifungals
Your healthcare provider may prescribeantibioticsfor underlying bacterial infections.
For infections due to a fungus, they may prescribe antifungals.
Antibiotics do not work for viral infections, so providers wont prescribe them for every ear infection.
This is to help reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Ear tube surgery is done under general anesthesia, so you or your child is asleep during the procedure.
It begins with amyringotomy, asmall incision (hole) in the tympanic membrane (eardrum).
The ENT will suction the excess fluid before placing the ear tubes in the incision.
How Long Do Ear Infections Last?
Typically, ear infections last from three days up to two weeks.
Are Ear Infections Contagious?
Ear infections themselves are not contagious.
However, the infections that cause some can be contagious.
They might spread from person to person through contact with respiratory secretions, coughing, or sneezing.
These measures help stop the spread of germs that can lead to ear infections.
Sometimes ear infections cause short-term hearing loss that resolves when the fluid clears.
If you or your child has persisting symptoms for more than two or three days, seek treatment.
Treatment helps reduce the risk of complications such as hearing loss or permanent damage to your inner ears.
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