👂 Middle Ear Diseases – Overview
The middle ear is the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the ossicles (tiny bones for hearing). Diseases of the middle ear often affect hearing and can be painful or lead to complications if untreated.
🧾 Common Middle Ear Diseases
1. Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection)
- Acute Otitis Media (AOM): Sudden infection (often viral or bacterial), common in children
- Symptoms: Ear pain, fever, hearing loss, irritability, ear tugging
- Treatment: Pain relief, antibiotics if bacterial, watchful waiting
2. Otitis Media with Effusion (OME)
- Fluid buildup in the middle ear without infection
- Symptoms: Hearing loss, fullness, usually no pain or fever
- Treatment: Often resolves on its own; may need ear tubes if chronic
3. Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM)
- Persistent infection with ear discharge through a perforated eardrum
- Symptoms: Ongoing drainage, hearing loss
- Treatment: Antibiotics, ear cleaning, surgery (tympanoplasty)
4. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
- Eustachian tube fails to equalize pressure between the middle ear and throat
- Symptoms: Ear popping, pressure, muffled hearing, discomfort with altitude changes
- Treatment: Decongestants, nasal steroids, autoinflation techniques
5. Tympanic Membrane Perforation (Ruptured Eardrum)
- Caused by infection, trauma, loud noises, or pressure changes
- Symptoms: Sudden pain relief (if ruptured during infection), drainage, hearing loss
- Treatment: Most heal naturally; surgery if persistent (tympanoplasty)
6. Cholesteatoma
- Abnormal skin growth in the middle ear that can erode bones
- Symptoms: Chronic discharge, hearing loss, bad odor, dizziness
- Treatment: Surgical removal to prevent complications
7. Otosclerosis
- Abnormal bone growth around the stapes bone, affecting hearing
- Symptoms: Progressive conductive hearing loss, often in both ears
- Treatment: Hearing aids or stapedectomy (surgical replacement of stapes)
8. Barotrauma
- Injury from rapid pressure changes (e.g., flying, diving)
- Symptoms: Ear pain, pressure, temporary hearing loss, possible rupture
- Treatment: Swallowing/yawning to equalize pressure, decongestants, rarely surgery
🩺 Diagnosis
- Otoscopic exam of the eardrum
- Tympanometry (measures middle ear pressure and fluid)
- Hearing tests (audiometry)
🛡️ Prevention Tips
- Treat nasal/sinus infections promptly
- Keep ears dry and clean
- Avoid smoking exposure (especially in children)
- Vaccinations (like pneumococcal and flu vaccines)