Ailments and Situations - Ear Infection - What to Expect

What to Expect:

Otitis Media

If swelling behind the ear drum becomes too great, the ear drum can burst, causing a sudden relief of pain and a discharge of pus and perhaps some blood from the ear canal. This is, however, a rare occurrence, and the ear drum can usually heal on its own.

Children with moderate to severe hearing loss may exhibit impaired speech and language development and learning difficulties.

Rare complications include mastoid infection, meningitis, bacteremia, pneumonia, brain abscess, and facial paralysis.

Otitis Externa

There is one type of otitis externa called malignant otitis externa. This is a rare, yet particularly serious form, of otitis media. It is a necrotizing infection that can spread to adjacent areas. If infection spreads to other tissues, it can become life threatening. People that are at particular risk for this type are the elderly, diabetic, or debilitated people. Permanent facial paralysis often occurs.