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Inner Ear Treatment

Inner ear infections, also known as middle ear infections, normally infect children before the age of five. Adults can have ear infections, but young children have them more frequently. There are a variety of treatments available for inner ear infections.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms of inner ear infections in young children can be hard to interpret if the child is too young to tell you her ear is hurting. Tugging or pulling at the ears, irritability, trouble sleeping, not responding to sounds, a fever of more than 100 degrees and drainage from the ears can indicate an ear infection. Adults may experience pain in the ear, fever, dizziness and temporary hearing loss.

    Diagnosis

    • Your doctor will look into you or your child's ear with an instrument called an otoscope. He can then see if any inflammation is present. He may also use a pneumatic otoscope that allows a gentle puff of air on the eardrum. The eardrum will normally move from the puff of air, but if fluid is present the eardrum will not move. If the eardrum does not move and redness is present an infection is likely.

    Treatment

    • Most inner ear infections will resolve on their on in a few days but if symptoms still persist after 72 hours treatment should be sought. Your doctor may prescribe over the counter pain relievers such as Tylenol or Advil. Prescription ear drops numb pain but will not cure an infection. Antibiotics are prescribed for a bacterial ear infection. If the infection is caused by a virus, the antibiotics won't help. Drainage tubes are used when fluid remains in the inner ear and affects your child's ability to hear properly. Drainage tubes are not a common treatment for adults with inner ear infections. The tubes are surgically implanted into your child's ear and allow the fluid to drain out of the ear equalizing pressure in the middle and outer ear. Hearing ability should improve and infections should lessen.

    Prevention

    • Keeping your child in a smoke-free environment and away from sick children can help reduce the risk of inner ear infections. Breast feed your baby if you can as breast milk contains antibodies that fight infections. If you bottle feed, make sure to keep your baby in an upright position. Adults can try over the counter decongestants or allergy medicines to reduce their risk of ear infections.

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