Ear Infections

The ear is made up of three parts. The outside ear includes the piece you can see and the canal that leads to the eardrum. The center ear is separated from the outside ear by the eardrum and contains little bones that amplify sound. The inner ear is where sounds are translated to electrical impulses and send to the brain. Any of these three parts can become infected by bacteria, fungi or viruses, in either the ear canal, or the Eustachian tube that connects the ear to the throat. Children are particularly prone to middle ear infections. It is estimated that around four out of five children will experience a middle ear infection at least once.

Symptoms

• Earache
• Mild deafness or the sensation that sound is muffled
• Ear discharge
• Fever
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Itchiness of the outer ear
• Blisters on the outer ear or along the ear canal
• Noises in the ear, such as buzzing or humming
• Vertigo