Ear infections: symptoms, causes, and treatment

What are the symptoms?

The signs tend to come on quite quickly. One minute your ears may feel fine, the next they hurt to the touch. Identifying symptoms of an ear infection is crucial to ensuring your condition clears up quickly.

The most common ear infection symptoms include:

• Ear pain (usually inside but sometimes in the exterior ear, too)

• Swelling and tenderness in and around the affected ear

• Hearing loss

• Nausea and vomiting

• Headaches

• Discharge (typically resembling pus)

• Pressure or fullness in the affected ear

Any of the above symptoms could indicate an ear infection. The signs can vary from person to person, so it’s always important to be vigilant of how your ears are feeling, particularly if you’ve just recently suffered a cold or other infection.

What are the different types of ear infection?

Knowing what kind of ear infection you have is the first step to receiving the right treatment.

The three main types of ear infection are:

• Outer ear (otitis externa): Affecting the part of your ear that’s visible on your head and stopping at the ear canal. Usually caused by bacteria or fungus entering the skin lining.

• Middle ear (otitis media): Undoubtedly the most common ear infection type, especially in children. Infection or inflammation behind the eardrum is most likely to blame for this condition, which can also bring on fever. Known to develop after colds, so be sure to pay close attention to your hearing health following on from bouts of sickness.

• Inner ear infection (Labyrinthitis): The rarest ear infection, affecting the inner mechanisms of the ear, which deal with balance and hearing. Viral in origin, this ear infection type can also bring on tinnitus, dizziness, hearing loss and – in extreme cases – nausea and vomiting.

No matter what type of ear infection you have, be sure to get it treated as quickly as possible to avoid unnecessary, unpleasant complications.

What are the causes?

Ear infections come about due to blockage or swelling in the Eustachian tubes. This causes fluid to build up in your middle ear, resulting in infection.

Common factors that cause blocked Eustachian tubes include:

• A cold or allergies

• Sinus infections

• Excess mucus

• Smoking

• Adenoids being swollen or inflamed

• Air pressure fluctuation

If you feel that any of the above could be contributing to your ear infection, then arrange a visit with your GP immediately.

What are the available treatments?

Treatments can vary on a case by case basis. Usually, the site of the infection, its severity and what’s causing it will determine what treatment works best.

Medically, you may be recommended a range of options when it comes to ear infection treatment. These include:

• Antibiotics

• Ear drops

• Painkillers, e.g. paracetamol or ibuprofen

• Antiemetics (mainly used for treating nausea and sickness brought on by inner ear infections)

There’s every likelihood that your ear infection will resolve itself anywhere between a few days and a couple of weeks. However, if symptoms don’t abate or actually become more aggressive, pay a visit to your GP or a hearing health specialist for professional advice.

No ear condition should be left untreated, least of all an ear infection. Seeing a doctor or qualified audiologist for advice is your best bet for treating ear infections before they get out of hand.

Do you have an ear infection and need to see someone soon before it gets worse? Book an appointment with Boots Hearingcare now for a local hearing test in your area…