Understanding Chronic Otitis Media: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

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Chronic Otitis Media

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

Additional names

This group contains additional names: - Acute Otitis Media (AOM) - Middle ear effusion

General

Chronic, meaning long standing, otitis media is a conditions of recurrent middle ear infections, that led to a permanent perforation of the eardrum. Over time it may result in hearing loss. It is usually formed in people with recurrent ear infections and poor function of the eustachian tube, which is the tube that drains the secretions of the ears into your nose. The condition is referred to as chronic *suppurative* otitis media if there is a consistent discharge of fluid from your ear.

60 people with Chronic Otitis Media are on Alike.

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Signs & symptoms

The main feature of chronic otitis media is a long-standing ear discharge without ear pain or fever. Hearing loss in the effected ear is also a common symptom of the disease.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, especially regarding ear infections that happened during your childhood. Next, he or she will look inside your ear with an otoscope. This is usually enough to make a definite diagnosis, although further tests might be needed.

Treatment

Initial treatment may involve careful cleaning of the ear, *antibiotics*, and *eardrops*. Therapy aims to stop drainage in the ear by controlling the infection. If the initial management failed to solve the problem, you may require *surgery*.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

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