Otitis media history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.

The most common symptoms of all classifications of otitis media are ear pain and feelings of “fullness” in the ear due to fluid buildup in the eustachian tube. These are usually accompanied by ear fluid discharge, as well as partial loss of hearing. Common cold symptoms, including cough, nasal discharge, and fever, usually accompany acute otitis media. Symptoms of chronic otitis media with effusion usually include neurological conditions, such as irritability, poor physical coordination, and delayed speech development and poor attention span in infants and young children. History of smoking, allergies, having an occupation with exposure to air pollution, attending day care, and having a family history of ear infections can be indicative of and should be considered when diagnosing otitis media.

History of the following should be considered for otitis media patients:^[1]

• Smoking: contributes to fluid buildup and blockage in the eustachian tube.
• Allergies.
• Occupations involving exposure to air pollution.^[2]
• Family history of ear infections.
• Attendance to day care.

Symptoms of otitis media include the following:^[1]

• Ear pain: caused by pressure buildup in the eustachian tube.
• Feeling of “fullness” in the ear.
• For acute otitis media, Common cold symptoms accompanying the causative pathogen are common:
  • Cough
  • Nasal discharge
  • Fever
• Fluid discharge in the ear.
• Partial loss of hearing.
• Irritability (in infants).
• Neurological symptoms from chronic otitis media with effusion:^[3]
  • Poor attention span.
  • Delayed speech development.
  • Clumsiness.
  • Poor balance.

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