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Otitis Media

Ear infections, also known as otitis media, are one of the most common conditions, affecting up to 75 percent of children in the US by the time they reach the age of three. This condition develops as a result of a buildup of fluid in the Eustachian tubes, which connect the eardrum to the nose. Patients with an ear infection may experience earache, fever, ear discharge, headache and dizziness. Ear infections rarely affect adults.

Most ear infections go away on their own within two or three days. Treatment for these cases aims to relieve pain and other symptoms, although your doctor may not recommend any treatment at all. Some patients may experience chronic ear infections, which involves long-term damage to the middle ear from frequent infection and inflammation. Chronic ear infection treatment may include antibiotics, steroids, placement of ventilation tubes or surgery, depending on the severity of the condition.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Most ear infections go away on their own within two or three days. Treatment for these cases aims to relieve pain and other symptoms, although your doctor may not recommend any treatment at all. Some patients may experience chronic ear infections, which involves long-term damage to the middle ear from frequent infection and inflammation. Chronic ear infection treatment may include antibiotics, steroids, placement of ventilation tubes or surgery, depending on the severity of the condition.

OM mostly affects children, causing them to react differently depending on their age:

  • Complains of pain in the ear – for bigger kids
  • Restlessness and intense crying – for infants

If Dr. Cohen suspects that your child has OM, he will:

  • Perform a pneumatic otoscopy to look inside the ear – use an otoscope to check for swelling, redness, blood, pus, fluid, air bubbles, or perforated eardrum
  • Examine the external ear and tympanic membrane (tympanometry test) – use a special instrument to measure air pressure in the ear and check for a ruptured eardrum
  • Perform a reflectometry test – use a small device to make sounds near the ear to check for any fluids in the ear (based on the echo)
  • Assess the entire head and neck region

The condition should improve on its own by simply applying a warm, damp washcloth over the infected ear. Otherwise, Dr. Cohen may prescribe antibiotics and OTC pain relievers or ear drops for pain relief. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove infected or enlarged adenoids that cause recurrent ear infections, or to insert tiny tubes to drain fluids from the middle ear.

To request an appointment with Dr. Cohen, please call (818) 609-0600.