Chronic ear pain and infections can be very troublesome, especially for children. These middle ear infections can affect hearing, which may impact one’s ability to learn or perform tasks at work. In addition to the temporary hearing loss, the pain caused by the chronic infection could be difficult to tolerate, causing irritability and distractions. Here’s what you need to know about chronic ear infections.
What Causes Ear Infections
A middle ear infection, also called acute otitis media, is most often caused by fluid build up behind the eardrum. There are thin tubes that run behind the eardrum to drain off such fluid. But when the fluid builds up due to illness or a blockage in the tubes, it can cause an ear infection and severe ear pain. If you have frequent recurring ear infections or if you have ear infections that do not clear up completely with traditional treatment from your primary care doctor, you may need to see a specialist.
