Ear Infection Risk Factors

A middle ear infection---also known as otitis media---can cause symptoms such as earache, fever, plugged ears, temporary hearing loss, dizziness and/or balance problems. Although this type of infection can affect anyone, it commonly occurs in children.

Development

• Ear infections can occur when the passageways that connect the middle ear and nose, known as the eustachian tubes, become blocked. Children under three years old have narrower and shorter eustachian tubes than adults and are more prone to ear infections, according to the Mayo Clinic and Kids Health.

Family History

• Children and adults who have family members with ear problems are more likely to develop ear infections. American Indians and Inuits are more at risk for having ear problems than people from other racial groups, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Daycare Settings

• Young children who routinely go to places where there are a lot of other children, such as a daycare, are more likely to be exposed to viruses and bacteria that can cause ear infections, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Feeding Positions

• According to the Mayo Clinic, babies who drink from their bottles while lying down are more at risk for developing ear infections than children who do not. Babies who are bottle fed are more likely to get ear infections than children who are breastfed, according to the New York Times.

Secondhand Smoke

• Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are more at risk for developing recurrent acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion than children who are not exposed to cigarette smoke, according to the New York Times.

Allergies

• People with allergies could be more at risk for developing ear infections than healthy individuals because one of the symptoms of allergies is inflamed airways, according to the New York Times.