Why Your Ear Infections Keep Returning: Understanding the Causes

Ear infections are a common occurrence in children. Adults, however, can still catch an infection in their ears.

Ear infections – whether they happen to children or adults – are difficult to manage. They are also painful, making it difficult for anyone to function properly and impairing their ability to accomplish simple everyday tasks.

If you have experienced an ear infection that just won’t go away, or one that keeps coming back, it’s crucial to know why this happens so you can take appropriate steps to treat it.

What Is a Chronic Ear Infection?

An ear infection is an infection in the middle ear that causes ear pain or discomfort. An infection in the ear typically results from bacterial or viral infection. An infection develops when fluid builds up in the middle ear because the Eustachian tube becomes clogged. The fluid buildup behind the eardrums causes pain and discomfort.

Ear infections are more common in children because they have smaller and more horizontal Eustachian tubes but adults can also develop an infection in the ears.

In some cases, ear infections don’t go away or they keep coming back. This becomes what is known as a chronic ear infection, which anyone can develop but children are more susceptible.

There are three types of infections that can affect the ears:

• Acute otitis media (AOM): This is the most common type of ear infection and causes fluid buildup behind the eardrum, resulting in ear pain.
• Otitis media with effusion (OME): This results after an acute otitis media infection is resolved but fluid remains trapped in the middle ear. This can cause hearing loss and can lead to another infection. OME usually occurs in children.
• Chronic suppurative otitis media (COME): This is an infection variation where fluid buildup stays in the ear for an extended period or the infection keeps coming back. The infection becomes resistant to treatment and causes hearing problems.

Common Symptoms of Chronic Ear Infection

• Ear pain, pressure, or discomfort in the ear
• Low-grade fever
• Pus-like drainage from the infected ear
• Hearing problems
• Trouble sleeping
• A feeling of fullness in the ear
• Fussiness in children

Chronic Ear Infection: Understanding the Causes

An ear infection typically results from a bacterial or viral infection. Respiratory conditions and concerns like allergies, the common cold, or the flu are common risk factors for ear infections and can cause congestion in the nose, throat, and Eustachian tubes.

The Eustachian tube is a tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. Its job is to drain fluid from the middle ear. In some cases, the Eustachian tube becomes clogged, causing fluid buildup in the middle ear, resulting in an ear infection.

An ear infection is categorized as chronic when the infection doesn’t go away with treatment. A specialist will diagnose a patient with a chronic ear infection if the infection doesn’t go away after three months. Repeated ear infections are also categorized as chronic.

Children are more susceptible to chronic infections because their Eustachian tubes are smaller and more horizontal, but that is not to say that adults cannot develop ear infections too.

Other risk factors for chronic ear infections include a family history of ear infections, Down syndrome, and a recent upper respiratory tract infection.

What Are the Possible Treatment Options for Chronic Ear Infections?

In some cases, ear infections will resolve on their own. However, if it persists for several days, the patient should consider seeking medical attention for further medical intervention. If the infection is caused by a bacterial infection, you may be prescribed antibiotics. Pain relievers and numbing ear drops can also help to manage the pain from the infection. Warm compresses on the infected ear can ease the discomfort while you wait until you can schedule an appointment to see a doctor.

In severe cases, surgery may be recommended. One option is myringotomy, a procedure where a doctor inserts a small tube into the eardrum to help drain fluid from the inner ear, relieving pressure and reducing infections.

Another surgical option is adenoidectomy, which involves removing the adenoids—glands located at the back of the nose that help fight infections. When enlarged due to infection, adenoids can block drainage, leading to fluid buildup, ear pain, and chronic ear infections. Removing them can help prevent recurring issues.

Know When to See a Doctor

The appropriate course of treatment will depend on your doctor’s examination of your symptoms and tests conducted to come up with a diagnosis. Remember, different types of ear infections require varied treatments.

In most cases, ear infections will resolve on their own without treatment. They are not life-threatening but can be painful and uncomfortable. Consider consulting a doctor if you experience ear infection symptoms, the infection gets worse, there are significant changes in symptoms, or the infection lasts more than three days.

At Bella Vista ENT, we are committed to helping our patients manage their symptoms and find an appropriate and effective treatment for their chronic ear infections.