An ear infection is the common name, but it’s medically referred to as otitis media or AOM. Ear infections just like this are often found in babies and young kids but they can affect adults, as well, especially during or after a cold or sinus infection. If you have a bad tooth, that can also lead to an ear infection.
If you get an infection in the middle ear you will usually have at least some hearing loss, but will it go away? You might not realize it but the answer can be complicated. There are a lot of things going on with ear infections. To understand the risks, you need to learn more about the injury these infections can cause and how they affect hearing.
Exactly what is Otitis Media?
Otitus media is an infection of the middle ear to put it simply. Bacteria is the most likely cause, but it could possibly be caused by any type of micro-organism.
It’s what part of the ear that the infection develops in that defines it. Otitis externa, or swimmer’s ear, is an infection of the pinna or outer ear. If the bacterial growth is in the cochlea, the medical term is labyrinthitis or inner ear infection.
The middle ear is comprised of the area behind the eardrum but in front of the cochlea. The membranes of the inner ear are vibrated by three tiny bones called ossicles which are situated in this area. The eardrum can actually break as a result of the pressure from this sort of infection, which tends to be quite painful. That pressure is also the reason why you can’t hear very well. The infectious material builds up and blocks the ear canal enough to obstruct the movement of sound waves.
The signs or symptoms of a middle ear infection in an adult include:
- Ear drainage
- Ear pain
- Decreased ability to hear
Usually, hearing will return in the course of time. Hearing will return after the pressure starts to go away allowing the ear canal to open back up. The infection gets better and your hearing returns. There are exceptions, though.
Chronic Ear Infections
At least once in their life, most people experience an ear infection. For some others, the issues become chronic, so they have infections over and over. Chronic ear infections can lead to problems that mean a more significant and possibly permanent loss of hearing, especially if the problem is left untreated.
Conductive Hearing Loss Caused by Ear Infections
Ear infections can sometimes cause conductive hearing loss. As a result, the sound waves going to the inner ear are not loud enough. The ear has mechanisms along the canal that amplify the sound wave so that when it reaches the tiny hair cells of the inner ear, it is powerful enough to create a vibration. Sometimes things change along this route and the sound is not effectively amplified. This is called conductive hearing loss.
Bacteria are very busy in your ear when you have an ear infection. The mechanisms that amplify sound waves are broken down and eaten by the bacteria. The damage is in most cases done to the tiny little bones and the eardrum. It doesn’t take very much to destroy these fragile bones. These bones will never come back once they are gone. You don’t just get your hearing back once this damage occurs. Surgically putting in prosthetic bones is one possible way that a doctor might be able to correct this. The eardrum may have scar tissue after it repairs itself, which can impact its ability to vibrate. This can also potentially be repaired with surgery.
What Can You do to Avoid This Permanent Hearing Loss?
It’s essential to consult a doctor if you think you might have an ear infection. The sooner you receive treatment, the better. Always have chronic ear infection checked out by a doctor. The more severe the infections you have, the more harm they will cause. Finally, take steps to avoid colds, allergies, and sinus infections because that is where ear infections typically start. If you smoke, now is the right time to quit, too, because smoking increases your risk of getting chronic respiratory troubles.
If you’ve had an ear infection and are still having problems hearing, call your doctor. It could be possible that you have some damage, but that is not the only thing that can cause conductive hearing loss. Hearing aids can be very helpful if you have permanent hearing loss. You should schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist to get more info on hearing aids.