Middle-Ear Infection (Otitis Media)

When To Call A Professional

Call your doctor if you or your older child complains of an earache or has trouble hearing. If your baby child has a fever, is unusually irritable or can't sleep, frequently rubs or pulls his or her ears, has vomiting or diarrhea, or does not respond normally to sounds (doesn't startle when a door slams or pots clang), call your doctor promptly.

Prognosis

The prognosis in most people with otitis media is very good, with complete resolution of the infection and its symptoms. In severe cases that go untreated the infection can spread causing mastoiditis or even meningitis, but this is rare. Hearing difficulties can occur; while they are not necessarily permanent, they can affect the speech and language development of younger children.

Additional Info

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders NIDCD Information Clearinghouse 1 Communication Avenue. Bethesda, MD 20892 Phone: (301) 496-7243 Toll-Free: (800) 241-1044 Fax: (301) 402-0018 TTY: (301) 402-0252 http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/

American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery One Prince St. Alexandria, VA 22314-3357 Phone: (703) 836-4444 http://www.entnet.org/