Ear Infections (Otitis Media)

What Is an Ear Infection?

The ear has three parts - the outer, the middle, and the inner ear. Infections typically happen in the middle ear, which is the small space behind your eardrum. Ear infections in the middle ear are also called acute otitis media. They can happen in one or both ears.

Ear infections are common in children. Most children will get at least one by their first birthday.

Children are more likely to get ear infections because of the way their ears develop. There is a tube that runs from the middle ear to the back of the throat called the eustachian tube. This tube helps fluid drain from the middle ear. In children, this tube is smaller and less angled than it is in adults, making it easier for an infection to block the tube.

Sometimes, children get fluid in their middle ear but do not have an infection. This is called otitis media with fluid. You may hear or see the term "otitis media with effusion" or "fluid in the middle ear."

Constant ear fluid is more common in children younger than 2, but it can happen in older children too. That fluid in the middle ear can make it harder to hear. It can make sounds seem muffled and hard to make out. This hearing loss can lead to speech and language delays.

What Are the Signs of an Ear Infection?

It’s not always easy to tell if your child has an ear infection—especially if they’re too young to say their ear hurts. But here are some signs:

• tugging or pulling at their ear
• crying more than usual
• fever
• not responding to sounds
• trouble sleeping
• fluid draining from their ear

What to Do if You Think Your Child Has an Ear Infection

A doctor should be your first stop for treating ear infections. Ear infections require attention right away—especially if they keep coming back. In some cases, your child might also need to see other health care specialists, like an ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor), an audiologist, or a speech-language pathologist (SLP).

An audiologist can check how well your child’s ears are working and test their hearing. An SLP looks at how your child’s speech and language is developing. They can help if your child is having trouble speaking or understanding words.

Treatment Options

Your doctor might prescribe antibiotics if your child’s ear infection is caused by bacteria. But if it’s from a virus, medicine may not help—and your doctor may suggest just keeping an eye on it.

Common treatment approaches for fluid in the ear include:

• Wait and watch. In some cases, the fluid clears up on its own.
• Ear tube placement. If the fluid doesn’t drain or your child keeps getting ear infections, the doctor might recommend tiny tubes that are placed in the eardrum. These tubes help drain the fluid and prevent future infections. An ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT) does this surgery.

Every child is different, so it’s important to talk with your doctor about what’s best for your child and to go to all follow-up appointments to keep things on track.

Effects on Hearing

When there’s fluid in your child’s middle ear, sounds can be harder to hear. It’s called conductive hearing loss —and to your child, it might sound like trying to listen with their head underwater.

Some kids don’t notice any hearing issues during an infection, but others may have temporary hearing loss. In many cases, their hearing improves once the fluid clears up. However, if your child continually gets ear infections, the hearing loss might last longer—or not fully go away. That’s why getting the right treatment matters.

It’s important to know that fluid in your child’s ear can be hard to detect. Without an infection, a child may not have a fever or pain. Still, the fluid can affect their hearing, causing them to miss important sounds and words. If something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts, and reach out to your child’s doctor.

To find an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist near you, visit ProFind.