Chronic Ear Infections

Ear infections are a common condition that usually go away within a few days with minor treatments. Chronic ear infections, however, do not heal on their own and may need specialized treatment in order to go away. These are often caused when the eustachian tube, which is the tube that drains fluid away from the middle ear, becomes clogged. The buildup of fluid causes pressure on the eardrum.

Middle Ear Infection

A middle ear infection, also known as acute otitis media, affects the space behind the eardrum which holds the tiny, vibrating bones of the ear. These types of ear infections are more common in children than adults and can cause serious problems if they’re left untreated.

Call or text us if you think you have a middle ear infection, have pain that lasts for more than a day, or there is a fluid discharge coming from the ear. While these types of ear infections may clear up on their own, they can cause hearing problems and other complications. We can speed up healing with antibiotics and pain relief medication.

Swimmer’s Ear

Unlike other ear infections, swimmer’s ear affects the outer ear canal, which is why it’s also called external otitis. Swimmer’s ear is caused by water that gets trapped in your ears after you’ve gone swimming. Water in the ear is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. However, this isn’t the only cause, as damaging the skin of your ear canal with a Q-Tip or other object can lead to the same symptoms.

Discomfort and itching, all to varying degrees, are the most common signs and symptoms of swimmer’s ear. You should visit a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms or if you have pain or fever in addition to discomfort in your ear.

Recurring Ear Infections and Long-Term Hearing Loss

Recurring ear infections can cause something called tympanosclerosis–the fancy medical term for scar tissue and calcium deposits left in your middle ear or on the eardrum. This can cause conductive hearing loss, which may not go away completely without treatment.