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Ear infections and inner ear infection symptoms can be a problem for both adults and children. Understanding how these infections develop and how they are treated can help you gain control over your health.
The Ear
There are three parts of the ear: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. The outer ear is what we see with naked eye. The middle ear is where the eardrum is located and where pressure is equalized with the Eustachian tube. The inner ear is where sound vibrations reach the auditory nerve and travel to the brain.
The Eustachian tube is connected from your ear to the back of your throat, behind the nose. When you feel your ears “pop” when on an airplane or when yawning, this is your Eustachian tube balancing out the pressure in your middle ear with the pressure outside.
Ear Infections
When bacteria or viruses enter the Eustachian tube an infection can grow. During times of illness, such as winter colds and congestion, Eustachian tubes can become more “clogged” and turn into breeding grounds for viruses and bacteria. Mucus from a cold can trap the bacteria or virus where it will grow into an infection.
Commonly thought of as an inner ear infection, this is actually a middle ear infection. The technical term is otitis media. This type of infection is usually acute and is different from “swimmers ear” which is often painful when touching the outer ear.
Ear Infection Symptoms
Symptoms of ear infections include:
- Earache or ear pain
- Fever
- Pain associated with chewing, sucking or lying down (so watch for trouble sleeping, decreased appetite, etc.)
- Drainage from the ear if the eardrum has ruptured. This may bring a relief from the pain as well.
- Hearing difficulties - caused by fluid build-up in the ear
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- “popping” sound in the ear or feeling of fullness in the ear
Ear Infection Treatment
Antibiotics have been the traditional course of treatment for ear infections. If the infection is caused by a virus, however, antibiotics will not be helpful. Most ear infections clear up on their own so doctors may recommend treating the pain associated with the ear infection and letting the infection take care of itself with time. It is important to talk with your doctor about your specific case including frequency of your ear infections and the severity of your ear infection symptoms.
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Middle Ear - Eustachian tubes 
