Ear Infection Complications

Ear infections come and go with colds and bad weather. Their symptoms are treatable and they are usually healed within a couple of weeks. Although usually temporary, ear infections can still bring with them complications.

Features of an earache

• According to webmd.com, symptoms of an ear infection include mild to severe ear pain, drainage from the ear, possible fever, trouble sleeping and hearing, a popping or ringing sensation, dizziness, and trouble hearing.

Ruptured eardrum

• An eardrum can be ruptured when pus and fluid push against it. Pain usually follows, and pus and blood may ooze out. The eardrum usually heals on its own. Surgery may be needed if the eardrum ruptures repeatedly.

Temporary hearing loss

• According to the Mayo Clinic, recurring earaches can lead to short-term hearing loss as a result of fluid buildup. The eardrum and tiny bones in the middle ear cannot send sound vibrations through liquid.

Long-term hearing loss

• Fluid may remain in the middle ear for months. This damages the eardrum and the tiny bones in the middle ear, which can cause long-term hearing loss.

Speech problems

• Constant middle ear fluid was once thought to be the main factor causing speech or developmental delays in children, according to the Mayo Clinic. Research has proven this is not true.

Mastoiditis

• This is a type of sinus infection caused by untreated ear infections. It is rare that infections move from the ear to other parts of the head, but this ailment involves a space in the bone of the skull that's located behind the ear.