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Otitis media - chronic - Treatment

Alternative Names

Middle ear infection - chronic; Ear infection - chronic; Chronic otitis media; Chronic ear infection

Treatment:

Antibiotics may be prescribed if the doctor thinks the infection is due to bacteria. Antibiotics may need to be taken for a long time, either by mouth or in the form of antibiotic ear drops if there is a hole in the eardrum.

Surgery to remove the adenoids may be needed to allow the Eustachian tube to work properly. The surgeon may make an opening in the eardrum to allow fluid to drain. This is called a myringotomy. The procedure may or may not involve placing tubes in the ear.

Surgery to repair a ruptured eardrum may prevent further chronic ear infections.

Keep the ears clean and dry to prevent reinfection. This is particularly important if myringotomy has been performed.

Expectations (prognosis):

Chronic otitis media usually responds to treatment, but your child may need to continue taking medicines for several months. Such ear infections are not life threatening but can be uncomfortable and may result in hearing loss and other serious complications.

Complications:

Cyst of the middle ear cyst (cholesteatoma)
Facial paralysis
Infection of one of the skull bones (mastoiditis)
Inflammation around the brain (epidural abscess)
Permanent damage to the ear with partial or complete deafness

Most children will have temporary and minor hearing loss during and right after an ear infection, because fluid can linger in the ear. Although this fluid can go unnoticed, it can cause significant hearing problems in children. Any fluid in the ear that lasts longer than 8-12 weeks is cause for concern. In children, hearing problems may cause speech to develop slowly.

Permanent hearing loss is rare, but the risk increases with the number and length of infections.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you or your child has signs of chronic otitis media, including an episode of acute otitis media that does not respond to treatment.

Call your health care provider if chronic otitis media does not respond to treatment, or if new symptoms develop during or after treatment.

Ear anatomy

Middle ear infection (otitis media)

Middle ear infection

Ear tube insertion - series

Reviewed last on: 4/22/2008
Alan Lipkin, MD, Otolaryngologist, Private Practice, Denver, Colorado. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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