Otitis and Deafness

External otitis (often called swimmer’s ear) is an irritation or inflammation of the auditory canal. It is often caused by swimming in contaminated lake water or in a pool with a poorly controlled pH. It can also be caused by eczema, earwax or injury from a cotton bud.

The other two types of otitis involve inflammation of the middle ear and are characterized by liquid behind the eardrum. These types of otitis are caused by an obstructed or malfunctioning Eustachian tube, combined with bacteria or viruses in the upper respiratory tract. Children are more at risk for middle ear otitis because their Eustachian tubes (which link the middle ear to the back of the throat) are shorter and more horizontal than adults’, giving bacteria from the nose and throat better access to the middle ear. What’s more, children’s immune systems are weaker. Allergies can also increase the risk of otitis.

Acute otitis media is characterized by an infection of the liquid behind the eardrum. Children will complain of pain in their ears. They may also rub their ears, have a fever or wake up in the middle of the night. This type of infection can also cause a discharge, in which case you will see traces of pus or blood on their pillowcase.

The other type of middle ear otitis, called serous otitis, is harder to detect because the liquid behind the ear is not contaminated. The lack of infection means that the otitis does not cause pain or a fever. It can therefore be present for weeks or even months before the parents detect it. Even if the child does not complain of pain, they may say their ears feel plugged, speak louder, turn up the volume on the TV, isolate themselves or ask people to repeat themselves more often. Parents need to watch out for these signs.

In a normal ear, sound vibrates the eardrum, which then moves the ossicles. In turn, the ossicles transmit the movement to the cochlea, which sends the message to the auditory nerve.

However, with acute otitis media or serous otitis, liquid in the middle ear limits the movements of the ossicles and prevents sound from being transmitted properly. This causes a type of hearing loss called conductive hearing loss. As with all hearing loss, it can affect children on many levels, including language development, learning, behaviour and socialization. Additionally, otitis can come and go, causing changes in hearing.

Otitis can be prevented in various ways. For example, breastfeeding during infancy strengthens the baby’s immune system. Additionally, teaching your child good hygiene by encouraging them to wash their hands often and blow their nose one nostril at a time can reduce the risk of infection, and therefore otitis. It’s also important to avoid giving bottles while the child is lying down in bed, as the liquid can reach the ears through the Eustachian tube and potentially cause infection.

If your child has frequent swimmer’s ear or regularly swims in lakes or public pools, post-myringotomy earmolds can help prevent infections. If you have concerns about your child’s hearing, it’s critical to consult an audiologist, your family doctor or an ENT doctor as soon as possible.