Ear infections

Ear infections are common. Ear infections may be acute or chronic. The information on this page relates to acute infections of the ear. The symptoms and the treatment of ear infections is dependent on which part of the ear is affected.The ear is divided into three parts: the outer ear (the ear lobe, canal, and ear drum)the middle ear (the space behind the ear drum, which is usually air filled and contains three little bones, and has a communication with the back of the nose down the eustachian tube)the inner ear (the part of the ear deep to the middle ear, which is in the bony skeleton)

Infections of the outer ear

The outer ear is comprised of the ear lobe (pinna) and the ear canal. Infections of the ear canal usually give rise to some or all of the following symptoms:Ear dischargeEar acheSwollen ear canal and associated hearing loss

Treatment
Treatment of the infections of the ear canal usually involves use of antibiotic ear drops. It may also be necessary to clean out the ear canal of all the debris and pus. This should be performed by a specialist. Under no circumstances is it advisable for the patient themselves to insert any object into the ear canal.

Infections of the middle ear

This is common particularly in children. Infections of the middle ear usually give rise to some or all of the following symptoms:Ear acheHearing lossFeverEar dischargeRarely dizziness, and weakness of the muscles of the face

The middle ear (space behind the ear drum) becomes infected and fills up with pus. This pus causes inflammation and pushes out the ear drum. This causes the intense pain that is associated with this condition. The infection may then resolve, or the ear drum may perforate. The pain then subsides and the ear will start to discharge.

Treatment
This condition may resolve spontaneously without any intervention, or may be treated with antibiotics initially. Less commonly the infection becomes chronic and may require surgery to overcome the underlying disease.

  Normal ear drum Middle ear infection

Infections of the inner ear

Infections of the inner ear are rare, and are more commonly due to viral infections. The treatment therefore is supportive, and is focused on controlling the symptoms which may include dizziness, nausea or vomiting, tinnitus and hearing loss.