Fever, ear redness and irritability can be signs that an infant or young child has an ear infection. And a lot of kids have those symptoms: five out of six children will experience an ear infection by age 3.
If you think making it to adulthood means ear infections are behind you, think again. While ear infections are less common in adults, they do happen. And conditions specific to adults make it important that you see a doctor if you do have ear pain, drainage or hearing loss, says Laura Brainard, M.D., an otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) specialist at Henry Ford Health.
“In addition to being painful, ear infections can interfere with your ability to hear and communicate with others. Sometimes, an ear infection is a sign of a more serious condition. That’s why you need to see your doctor to identify the cause of your discomfort and get treatment to resolve the problem.”
Risk Factors For Adult Ear Infections
Adults at higher risk of ear infections include those who:
- Had multiple ear infections as a child
- Have ear anatomy that affects how the ear functions
- Experience chronic allergies or a sinus condition
- Are smokers
Types Of Adult Ear Infections: Symptoms And Treatment
Adult ear infections can occur in any area of the ear. Here Dr. Brainard explains outer, middle and inner ear infections:
Outer ear infections (otitis externa)
The outer ear includes the skin and soft tissue of the ear and ear canal. Outer ear infections can occur for many reasons. For example, using a cotton swab can irritate the ear canal, making it susceptible to bacterial infections.
The outer ear can also become infected if water doesn’t drain from the ear after swimming or bathing. These infections (sometimes called swimmer’s ear) are more frequent after swimming in natural bodies of water than chlorinated pools.
Outer ear infection symptoms and treatment
People with outer ear infections often have fluid drainage from the ear canal, redness, decreased hearing and pain. With more severe infections, ear pain may radiate to the jaw and extend to the skin around the ear canal. A fungal infection of the outer ear (called otomycosis) can cause hearing loss and itching.
Most outer ear infections can be treated with professional ear cleaning (aural toilet) and antibiotic ear drops.
Middle ear infections (otitis media)
The middle ear is an air-filled space behind the eardrum, connected to the throat by the eustachian tube. This tube equalizes pressure between your middle ear and the outside world.
When the eustachian tube gets irritated by a cold or an allergy, it can swell and become blocked. As a result, fluid can build up and become infected by bacteria and viruses. Children get more middle ear infections because their eustachian tubes are still developing.
While most children outgrow eustachian tube dysfunction, some people have problems into adulthood. Other people without a history of ear problems can develop ear infections as adults. Eustachian tube dysfunction in adults is more likely to cause fluid accumulation, a condition called serous otitis media. This infection usually doesn’t hurt, but it does decrease hearing.
Middle ear infection symptoms and treatment
Symptoms of middle ear infection include ear pain and decreased hearing. Some people also experience fluid drainage.
Some middle ear infections require antibiotic treatment. Your doctor can also recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, nasal steroid sprays, saline irrigation, decongestants and antihistamines to help relieve symptoms.
People with chronic middle ear fluid may get relief by gently popping their ears throughout the day. This technique (the Valsalva maneuver) involves pinching the nose and closing the mouth while gently exhaling to equalize the air pressure in the ears.
If you have fluid in your ears for longer than three months, your doctor may recommend ear tubes to drain the fluid to improve your hearing.
Inner ear infections
The inner ear is a hard bony structure where sound waves from the middle ear are converted into electrical signals. The auditory nerve carries these signals to your brain, which recognizes them as sounds.
Infections in the inner ear typically happen due to a viral infection.
Inner ear infection symptoms and treatment
Inner ear symptoms can include sudden hearing loss, vertigo (spinning dizziness) and tinnitus (ringing in the ear).
Your doctor may prescribe high-dose steroids to help hearing loss caused by an inner ear infection. Your doctor will monitor your progress during treatment and recommend other therapies if necessary.
When To See A Doctor For An Ear Infection
Many ear infections will clear up on their own, especially when they’re accompanied by a respiratory infection. But it’s important to pay attention to your body and see your doctor if you experience:
- Difficulty hearing
- Ear pain
- Fluid drainage from one or both ears
Seek immediate medical care if you experience sudden hearing loss or dizziness or your symptoms worsen.
How To Prevent Adult Ear Infections
Dr. Brainard says there are several steps you can take to keep your ears healthy:
- Make sure to drain any water trapped in your ears after swimming and bathing.
- Avoid using a Q-tip or other instruments to clean the ear canal. Ear wax will work its way out on its own.
- Stop smoking to improve your overall health and reduce inflammation in your ear, nose and throat.
“Don’t delay seeing your doctor if you have concerns about your ears or hearing. The sooner you seek care, the more effectively we can treat the cause of your discomfort and maintain or restore your hearing,” says Dr. Brainard.
Reviewed by Dr. Laura Brainard, an ENT specialist who sees patients at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital and Henry Ford Medical Center – Fairlane.
