Ear Infections: Signs in Children and How They're Treated

How common

Ear infections are the most common reason parents bring a child to the doctor: three out of four children have at least one by their third birthday. Adults get them too, but less often.

What happens

Most infect the middle ear — otitis media. The tubes inside the ear clog with fluid and mucus, which can affect hearing, because sound can't get through the fluid.

Signs in a child who can't tell you

• Tugging at the ears
• Crying more than usual
• Fluid draining from the ear
• Trouble sleeping
• Balance problems
• Hearing problems

Diagnosis and treatment

• Diagnosis: your provider looks inside the ear with an otoscope.
• Often no treatment is needed: many ear infections clear up on their own.
• Pain relievers may be recommended.
• Antibiotics may be needed for severe infections and infections in young babies.
• Ear tubes: children who get infections often may need surgery to place small tubes in their ears, relieving the pressure so they can hear again.

Sources

Based on "Ear Infections," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the NIH National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; a work of the United States government in the public domain.