Ear Infections: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

12/18/2025

What is an ear infection?

An ear infection is also referred to as acute otitis media, which develops in the middle ear. The air- filled space between your inner ear and eardrum is your middle ear. It holds fragile bones that function to transfer sound vibration from your eardrum to the middle ear so that you can hear sounds.  On the other hand, eustachian tubes are canals that attach the middle ear to the back of the throat. Its role is to regulate the air pressure in your ear and prevent fluid accumulation.

An infected ear canal leads to fluid accumulation, which can cause muffled hearing. An ear infection, whether viral or bacterial, can also result in middle ear fluid. In such cases, the middle ear fluid becomes infected, often causing discomfort along with muffled hearing.

Symptoms of ear infections:

The following are the common ear infection symptoms:

• Hearing loss

• Pus-like ear drainage

• Mild pain in the ear

• Discomfort inside your ear

• A continuous feeling of pressure inside the ear

These are the common symptoms that may persist or come and go. One may notice the aforementioned symptoms in one or both ears. If you have a double infection or an infection in both ears, you may encounter severe pain.

Symptoms of a chronic ear infection may seem less noticeable than those of an acute ear infection.

Symptoms of an ear infection in children:

In addition to the ear pain and drainage, like adults, young children and infants may show some additional symptoms that include:

• Fever

• Loss of appetite

• Headache

• Frequently losing balance

• Rubbing or ear pulling

• Fussiness

• Restlessness

What causes an ear infection?

Most ear infections are induced by bacteria or viruses. Bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae) account for the majority of ear infections. Ear infections usually happen when the Eustachian tubes become blocked, forcing fluid to build up in the middle ear. The Eustachian tubes are small passageways that connect each ear to the back of your throat.

The following factors can lead to blockage of the Eustachian tube:

• Allergies

• Colds

• Smoking

• Changes in air pressure

• Excess mucus

• Sinus infections

Infected adenoids can also result in ear infections. Adenoids are glands located on the roof of your mouth, right behind your nose, that protect you from infections. Infections can easily spread from these glands to the end of the Eustachian tube.

When should you seek medical attention?

Ear infections are not a cause for concern, but you should not miss seeing a doctor if your child is showing any of the following symptoms:

• A fever above 102.2°F

• Exacerbating symptoms

• Hearing loss

• Symptoms lasting for more than 3 days

• Discharge of pus or fluid from the ear

If you are an adult, and the infection doesn’t wear off within a few days and induce fever or pain, don’t delay seeking treatment.

How to fix ear problems?

Most mild to moderate ear infections don’t require medical treatment; they typically clear up on their own within 3-4 days or up to a week. However, the following treatments can be opted for if the infection is severe or causing additional complications:

Home remedies/treatment:

Implementing these practices can help relieve mild ear infections:

• Refrain from sleeping on the infected ear.

• Try to apply a warm cloth to the infected area.

• Opt for the OTC pain medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

• Take OTC ear drops to ease pain in the infected ear.

• Use over-the-counter decongestants like pseudoephedrine.

Medical treatment for adults

If the infections worsen or cause further complications, it is important to seek medical attention. If the ear infection is bacterial or doesn’t wear off on its own, you might be prescribed antibiotics to eradicate the infection. It is important to note that antibiotics can’t clear up the infections caused by viruses.

Medical treatment for kids:

The treatment is typically different in children than in adults. In children, the doctor typically takes a wait-and-see approach to manage ear infections, avoiding antibiotics. Overuse of antibiotics increases the chances of antibiotic resistance, making them less effective for future infections.

Make sure you don’t give anything to your child without consulting a doctor. In most cases, symptoms resolve on their own within 2 to 3 days. If symptoms worsen or last longer than a week, a doctor may write a prescription.

Surgery:

Surgery is usually considered the last resort and is recommended only when the infection cannot be eradicated with available medical treatment or when multiple infections occur within a short period.

Ear tubes are inserted into your ears to help drain fluid. A doctor will make a small hole in your eardrum in order to drain fluid during this procedure, easing pain. The incision will heal after 3 to 4 days. Surgical removal of your adenoids is usually recommended in people with enlarged adenoids.

How to prevent ear infections?

Ear infections are more common than you think. However, they can easily be prevented by bringing a few practices into routine:

• Make sure to wash your hands as many times as possible.

• Refrain from hanging out in overly crowded places.

• Avoid using pacifiers for infants and small children.

• Try to breastfeed your kid for at least a year or more after birth.

• Stay away from second-hand smoke.

• Keep your kids current with their vaccinations.

Most ear infections go away on their own within a few days. However, if they become bothersome or worsen over time, antibiotics are recommended.

Ear infections are more prevalent in kids than in adults. Therefore, if symptoms don’t improve and lead to complications such as fever, pain, or ear drainage, it is important to see a doctor. Neglecting an infected ear inside can lead to more serious problems if not treated promptly.

The takeaway:

Ear infections are more prevalent in kids than in adults. Upper respiratory infections, including colds and the flu, are the most common triggers of ear infections in children. These viruses may cause your Eustachian tube to swell, which, as a result, blocks the air from reaching the middle ear. An ear infection in a kid is usually accompanied by fever, pain, and itching in the ear. In most cases, the infection wears off on its own, but in severe cases, a prescription is required. You can prevent future ear infections in your kids by ensuring timely immunization and hygiene.