Middle Ear Infections
Infections in the middle ear, which often come through the Eustachian tube, cause inflammation and a buildup of fluids. When fluid fills the middle ear space, the chain of bones cannot act correctly because this area is supposed to be filled with air. The energy vibrations of sound are not transmitted correctly through this area, causing difficulty in hearing. Children are most prone to these problems because the Eustachian tube is shorter than in adults, thus giving the infectious materials less distance to travel before they settle in the middle ear cavity.
The
most frequent factor causing middle ear infections is the Eustachian
tube allowing materials to pass through. This prevents adequate ventilation
of the middle ear, which needs air and perfect balance of air pressure
in order to function properly. This is often called otitis media.
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Secretory otitis media: fluids from colds or allergies entering through the Eustachian tube.
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Acute serous otitis media: a bacteria or viral infection with fluids.
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Acute purulent otitis media: pus from the bacterial infection, potentially leading to a ruptured eardrum.
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Chronic otitis media: untreated bacterial infections and/or infected adenoids.
It is not uncommon to have temporary hearing loss during these infections, but hearing returns when the fluids drain. Middle ear infections are not dangerous if they are treated, but untreated middle ear infections lead to ruptured eardrums, pain and loss of hearing. Infections tend to recur if infected adenoids are not addressed.
Symptoms of Middle Ear Infections:
• temporary hearing loss
• clogged feeling in the ear
• aches and pain in the ear
• nausea/vomiting
• bleeding or pus discharged from the ear (eardrum has ruptured to relieve pressure from fluids)
• tinnitis, ringing in ears
• labyrinthitis (spinning sensation)
Most of these symptoms are relieved with ear candling, although a ruptured ear drum is a more serious concern and should be addressed by a medical doctor.
Earaches are caused when infected fluid accumulates in the middle ear and puts pressure on the eardrum from the inside. Pain in the ear is not always coming from the ear itself. It can also come from changes in the air pressure, dental difficulties, sinus problems, adenoids and tonsillitis. Eustachian tubes are often a culprit involved in earaches. The tube opens hundreds of times each day, with every third swallow or so, and especially with every yawn. If it becomes blocked, it prevents drainage from the middle ear, and also introduces unwanted fluids into the middle ear.
If you pull on the ear lobe, and you feel acute pain, this is a sure sign that there is an infection or fluids in the ear canal and this must be addressed.