If you think you might have an ear infection, and would like to make an appointment to see one of the ENT physicians, please call MetroHealth Medical Center at 21.Take your cat to the vet if you spot any abnormalities. If you suffer an acute attack of dizziness or change to your hearing, timely medical evaluation is important. Many cases are thought to be the result of prior or active viral infections. Antibiotics are usually not necessary for these episodes, since very few are actually caused by bacteria. There are several possible causes for these types of spells and medical attention and evaluation are definitely warranted. Any sudden change to your hearing should quickly be evaluated as well, whether or not it is also accompanied by severe acute dizziness.

These episodes of inflammation usually result in the very sudden, severe dizziness, often with nausea and vomiting. Most conditions diagnosed as inner ear infections involves inflammation or irritation of the balance centers in the ear. While true infections of the inner ear can occur, they are quite rare and are usually associated with severe illness such as meningitis. Inner ear infections are actually not usually infections at all. Parents and caretakers are strongly urged to quit smoking. In children, exposure to smoking is an important risk factor that can lead to an increased number of infections. Medical evaluation, treatment, and monitoring are therefore necessary and appropriate. Untreated middle ear infections can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss and other complications. Surgery, in the form of ear tubes, removal of the adenoids and or tonsils, are sometimes necessary. Antibiotics have been the treatment of choice for middle ear infections, but bacterial resistance is increasing and has required longer courses of treatment and more potent antibiotics. The number of ear infections and the number of children with repeated ear infections are both on the rise. This is because the fluid prevents good movement of the eardrum and hearing bones, affecting your hearing. This condition may not cause pain, but you may experience a significant hearing loss and feeling of your ear being blocked. There is another type of middle ear infection that involves infection of fluid caught behind the ear drum (much like mucous trapped in a sinus). Unlike outer ear infections, moving the ear itself (pulling on your ear) is not usually painful. The pain may worsen over just a few hours, and in some cases, the pressure may cause the eardrum to rupture or burst with sudden drainage from the ear, this may be pus or blood. Severe middle ear infections usually cause quickly worsening ear pain and muffled hearing. Some middle ear infections may follow a cold or sinus infection, while others may follow a quick change in pressure that can happen, for example, when flying in an airplane. However, middle ear infections can and do occur at any age. This type of infection is very common in children. Middle Ear InfectionsĪ middle ear infection is an infection of the space behind the ear drum. In these cases, your physician may suggest more specialized treatment. Although most cases of outer ear infections are caused by bacteria, some may be caused by fungi or viruses, such as H.

Antibiotics by mouth are occasionally required and severe cases may require hospitalization and medication through an IV. Treatment of an outer ear infection requires a careful examination by a physician, a thorough and gentle cleaning of the ears, and usually some sort of ear drops. If you attempt to remove it yourself, it may lead to infection, damage, or chronic dermatitis of the ear canals. But beware, ear wax may build up and block hearing. The ear canal swelling can lead to pain, drainage from the ear and sometimes trouble hearing.Įarwax serves a protective function and can actually help prevent outer ear infections. The ear becomes more tender to the touch and may become red and swollen. As the swelling in the ear canal worsens, the pain may become severe. Unfortunately, this tends to make the issue worse. When the ear starts to hurt or feels blocked, typically you may try to clean the ear with cotton swabs (Q-tips) or irrigate it with solutions like hydrogen peroxide. Many outer ear infections actually start as a type of heat rash, starting with itching of the ear. Although some outer ear infections may be caused by swimming, most are caused by a combination of heat, moisture (e.g., sweat) and local trauma (e.g., scratching the ear canal). Outer ear infections are sometimes referred to as swimmer’s ear, because it can be caused by water or moisture in the ears. Outer and middle ear infections are seen commonly. Treatment for each of these varies depending on the type and location of each infection. There are three different types of ear infections:

Cleaning ears with hydrogen peroxide