Ear Disorders

Acute otitis media, or a middle ear infection, has several causes. When a child comes down with a cold, the infection causes the middle ear to produce fluid, which can collect behind the eardrum, resulting in a painful ear infection. Sometimes the... Full Answer

When the outer ear is pierced or injured, bacteria can get into the tissue and can cause perichondritis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the bacterium most often responsible for this type of infection. These bacteria live primarily in water and in soil. They... Full Answer

Tympanocentesis is the removal of fluid from behind the eardrum. The doctor uses a special needle with a tube attached to collect the sample of fluid. A culture and sensitivity test is usually done on the sample of fluid. Before the test, your child may... Full Answer

Viruses may cause up to 80 percent of ear infections, causing inflammation and infection of the middle ear, which is located just behind the eardrum. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses. For bacterial-related ear infections, the culprit is... Full Answer

Your doctor will start with a medical history and thorough physical examination, including an assessment of your ears, nose and throat. Then using an instrument called an otoscope, the doctor will assess the condition of your ear. This will allow the... Full Answer

This procedure is not often done. It is sometimes done: When a child has severe earache, fever and signs that an ear infection is not getting better with treatment. When there are signs that a child has serious complications from an ear infection. When... Full Answer

An acoustic neuroma is a tumor of the eighth cranial nerve, which stretches from the brain to the inner ear. This nerve has two parts: one carries sound, and the other carries information about balance. Therefore, acoustic neuromas often affect hearing... Full Answer

Otitis media with effusion is fluid in the space behind the eardrum (middle ear). This condition occurs when a blockage of the tube that connects the throat and middle ear (eustachian tube) prevents fluid from draining normally out of the middle ear... Full Answer

In the treatment of acute ear infections, an eardrop preparation containing various herbal medicines was shown to be very effective in reducing pain and calming a crying child. In a double-blind trial with 171 children ages 5 to 18, eardrops containing a... Full Answer

Bacterial ear infections happen when fluid build up in the ear cause bacteria to grow in your middle ear or ear canal, resulting in inflammation. Medications are intended to kill the bacteria causing the problem. Amoxicillin is one of the most... Full Answer