## Otitis Media: A Common Ear Infection
Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear, the air-filled cavity behind the eardrum. It is a common condition, especially in children. Otitis media can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).
**Symptoms**
The symptoms of otitis media can include:
* Ear pain
* Feeling of fullness in the ear
* Ear discharge
* Hearing loss
* Fever
* Irritability
* Trouble sleeping
**Diagnosis**
Otitis media is diagnosed by a doctor who will examine the ear and look for signs of infection. The doctor may also perform a tympanometry, a test that measures the movement of the eardrum.
**Prevention**
There are several things that can be done to prevent otitis media, including:
* Vaccinating children against pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria
* Breastfeeding infants
* Avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke
* Keeping children away from people who are sick
* Treating colds and allergies promptly
**Treatment**
The treatment for otitis media depends on the severity of the infection. Most cases of acute otitis media will improve with antibiotics. Pain relievers and decongestants may also be prescribed to relieve symptoms. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to drain the infected fluid from the middle ear.
**Complications**
If otitis media is not treated, it can lead to serious complications, including:
* Hearing loss
* Mastoiditis, an infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear
* Sepsis, a life-threatening infection of the bloodstream
* Cholesteatoma, a growth of skin cells in the middle ear
**Related Terms**
* Otology: The branch of medicine that deals with the ear.
* Antimicrobial resistance: The ability of bacteria to resist the effects of antibiotics.
* Hearing impairment: A loss of hearing.
* Audiometry: A test that measures hearing.
* Tympanometry: A test that measures the movement of the eardrum.
* Audiologist: A specialist in hearing and balance disorders.
* Otorhinolaryngologist (ENT): A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, and throat disorders.
* Eustachian tube blockage: A blockage of the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat.
* Ototoxicity: Damage to the ear caused by certain medications.
* Mastoiditis: An infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear.
* Sepsis: A life-threatening infection of the bloodstream.
* Cholesteatoma: A growth of skin cells in the middle ear.
