What is an ear infection?
An ear infection, also called a middle ear infection, is one of the most common conditions among children. They shouldn’t be ignored. Untreated ear infections can lead to unnecessary pain and permanent hearing loss for your child. An ear infection occurs in the middle ear and is caused by a bacterial or viral infection. It creates pressure in the small space between the eardrum and the back of the throat called the Eustachian tube. Smaller Eustachian tubes are more sensitive to pressure, which causes the ear pain. A child’s adenoids (the little bits of tissue that hang above the tonsils at the back of the throat) can block the opening of Eustachian tubes because they are larger in young children.

Eustachian tubes do not work properly when filled with drainage from the nose or mucous from allergies, colds, bacteria, or viruses because the drainage presses on the eardrum, which is what causes the pain. A chronic ear infection can last for 6 weeks or more, but most go away on their own after 3 days. Children who are routinely exposed to illness from other kids (especially during the winter months), or second-hand smoke are more likely to get ear infections, as does bottle-feeding, because your baby is lying down while eating. Some ear pain is due to teething in babies, a buildup of earwax, or a foreign object your child may have put in their ears. When the pressure increases, it can cause your child’s eardrum to rupture or pop, leaving a hole in the ear. The initial pop hurts, but actually relieves the pressure and pain.