Ear infection is quite common. Human beings and several living things are using their ears to hear the sound in this world, but few living things don’t have ears. But ears play an important role in living things including human beings. Ear is placed in both sides of the head, this will allow for binaural sound localization in the brain regarding direction and distance away.
Ear Parts
Each and every organ in the human body has different parts, the same way ears also have three parts. They are …
- Outer ear part
- Middle ear part
- Inner ear part
Outer ear part – The outer ear part is an easily visible one and the canal that leads to the eardrum.
Middle ear part – The middle ear part is separated from the outer ear by the eardrum and contains very small size bones that amplify sound. This small bone is called a stapes bone and this is the smallest bone in the human body.
Inner ear part – This inner part is doing an excellent function, because this part is a main place where sounds are converted or translated to electrical impulses and sent to the brain.
If a person has an infection on any of these three parts by bacteria, fungi or viruses, surely it will affect the ears function. Most of the children are facing infection in the middle ear part and that infection is called otitis media. One health survey reveal, around the world four out of five children will face a middle ear infection at least once.
Before going to see about the symptoms of ear infection, we should talk about the function of the Eustachian tube. Yes, this eustachian tube will do an amazing function. Ear is linked to the back of the nose via the Eustachian tube. This tube supports balancing the air pressure inside the ear, and funnel secretions from the middle ear into the throat. The walls of the Eustachian tube lie flat to protect the ear from the attack of bacteria or other germs through the nose and throat.
If the eustachian tube does not function properly, then automatically fungi or bacteria build up inside the middle ear. This will encourage ear infections and mild deafness; sometimes it will affect the eardrum.
Symptoms of ear infections
Each and every infection will reveal the early signs or symptoms in the body. Same way ear infection will. Ear infection symptoms depend on its type, but may include:
- Ear ache.
- Mild Deafness Or The Sensation That Sound Is Muffled.
- Ear Discharge.
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Loss Of Appetite.
- Itchiness Of The Outer Ear
- Blisters On The Outer Ear Or Along The Ear Canal
- Noises In The Ear – Such As Buzzing Or Humming sound.
- Vertigo (Loss Of Balance).
Reason for ear infections
Ear infection will be caused due to some reasons. They are
- Upper respiratory tract infections.
- Sudden changes in air pressure mainly happen 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 different types and they are
- Otitis Externa
- Otitis Media – Acute Or Chronic
- Serous Otitis Media
- Infectious Myringitis
- Acute Mastoiditis
- Vestibular Neuronitis
- Otitis Externa
Otitis Externa
This is an infection or inflammation of the ear canal between the eardrum and the outer ear. This infection can be stimulated by exposure to dirty water(makes a bad smell) or by mechanical damage due to overzealous cleaning. The infection arises in a person’s ear due to the reason of fungal or bacterial infection.
Treatment options include:
- Clean the ear canal with the help of professional Cleaning expert or else using the syringing the ear should usually be avoided
- Using the ear drops containing antibiotics and steroids, If the Infection arises due to bacterial attacks.
- Oral Antibiotics
- Using the ear drops containing antifungal medications and steroids, If the infection arises due to Fungal attacks.
- Using the Pain-Relieving Medications
- Always keeping ears dry.
Otitis media
This otitis media infection mainly arises in the part of the middle ear, which can be either acute or chronic. Most of the little children are affected by acute otitis media because it is caused by severe colds and closed Eustachian tubes – both typical ailments of childhood. The main reason for this type of infection is due to viral or bacterial infection. Most of the time this infection arises in little children’s ears due to viruses. This information is revealed by ear researchers after doing several analyses and tests.
Treatment options include:
- Pain-Relieving Medications
- Antibiotics – If The Infection Is Bacterial In Origin
- Ear Drops – If There Is Pus In The Ear Canal.
Serous otitis
This serous otitis media is also called the glue ear. Mostly this type of ear infection attacks little children aged between six months and two years of age, This type of ear infection is the most vulnerable type. This Glue ear infection most commonly arises after a middle ear infection, and is characterized by the build-up of fluid and pus within the middle ear.
Treatment options include antibiotics.
If antibiotics fail, or children getting repeated attacks of glue ear, surgery to insert small drainage tubes (grommets) may be needed.
Infectious Myringitis
Infectious Myringitis arises in the eardrum, due to the attack of viruses or bacteria. The eardrum reacts to the inflammation by forming small blisters and this can be painful.
Treatment options include:
- Antibiotics
- Pain-relieving medications
- Professional rupturing of the blisters
Acute mastoiditis
Acute mastoiditis ear problems arise due to the infection on very tiny size stape bone, caused by prior acute otitis media. The symptoms of acute mastoiditis include reddened and swollen skin over the mastoid, fever, and intense pain.
If a person is not caring or avoids treatment for acute mastoiditis, it can lead to deafness, blood poisoning, meningitis and paralysis of the face.
Treatment options for Acute mastoiditis :
- Intravenous antibiotics
- Surgical drainage of the infected bone.
Vestibular neuronitis
Vestibular neuronitis ear infection arises due to injury of the vestibular nerve, this is because of viral infection. The main symptom is sudden loss of balance and also nausea and vomiting. The eyes may also involuntarily palpitation towards the affected side of the head.
Treatment options for vestibular neuronitis include:
- Medications, including antihistamines
- Anti-nausea & Anti-Vomit medications
- Vestibular physiotherapy – to help your brain to compensate or retrain.
Ear infections can easily be treated with the help of medicine and are diagnosed by physical examination and laboratory analysis of pus or discharge. In rare cases, CT scans may also be taken for giving a proper treatment.