A Common Reason as to Why Conductive Hearing Loss Occurs: Ear Infections
As we get older and go through life, we can experience many incidents, and our bodies can change in numerous ways. One of the ways it can change is how well we hear others from afar or near us. If our ears experience a traumatic event that involves the ear, our hearing can be affected negatively. Or our hearing could suddenly worsen due to an ear infection. Ear infections, or otitis media, happen to be a prevalent reason why conductive hearing loss occurs in individuals, particularly in children. Our middle ear becomes fluid and inflamed once an infection affects an individual. In this article, we’ll discuss the types of ear infections, how they’re caused, their symptoms, and how they can be treated.
The Kinds of Ear Infections
Two main kinds of ear infections affect individuals:
Chronic Otitis Media (COM)
This happens when acute otitis media persists for a prolonged period and arises frequently. This type of ear infection can lead to further severe complications, including eardrum perforation, hearing loss, and even mastoiditis (the inflamed mastoid bone located behind the ear).
Acute Otitis Media (AOM)
Acute otitis media is a condition that appears suddenly within the middle ear, usually characterized by ear pain and hearing issues.
Why Hearing Loss Occurs
Ear infections often occur due to:
Bacteria
Bacteria such as Haemophilus influenzae happen to be prevalent culprits in ear infections.
Allergies
Allergies can also inflict inflammation and congestion in the nasal passages and eustachian tubes, strengthening the risk of ear infections.
Viruses
The flu, influenza, and other respiratory viruses can lead to inflammation of the eustachian tubes wihch are connected to your middle ear to the back of the throat. This may lead to fluid building up within the middle ear, making it a breeding ground for bacteria.
Enlarged Adenoids
Adenoids are masses of tissues situated behind the back of the throat. When enlarged, they can block the eustachian tube and lead to fluid buildup.
The Symptoms of Ear Diseases
There are numerous symptoms of ear diseases, but some of the most common ones of an ear infection involve:
- Irritated or Fussy Children
- Loss of Appetite
- Hearing Loss
- Fever
- Drainage from the ear (if the eardrum ends up being ruptured)
- Difficulty Sleeping
How Ear Infections can be Treated
A lot of ear infections end up going away on their own within a few days. However, if the symptoms of ear infections persist and don’t go away, medical attention will be required. Treatment might involve:
Antibiotics
If an individual acquires bacterial infections that worsen and cause a lot of pain, doctors might prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection.
Pain Relief
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are over-the-top pain relievers that can assist in alleviating fever and ear pain.
Eardrops
Tropical eardrops might be prescribed to assist individuals in dealing with ear pain and inflammation.
Preventing Ear Infections
While there won’t always be a permanent solution to solve ear infections, the following suggestions can assist in minimizing the risk:
Keeping Children Away from Smoke
If children are exposed to smoke and passive smoking, they can have an increased risk of ear infections.
Washing your Hands Frequently
Keeping adequate hand hygiene will assist in the spreading of germs.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking can irritate the respiratory system and strengthen the risk of ear infections.
Acquiring Vaccines
Vaccines can be utilized to prevent pneumococcal disease and influenza, which can help defend against ear infections.
If you or your child are experiencing ear issues or other symptoms associated with an ear infection, it’s paramount for you to talk to a healthcare professional to acquire an actual diagnosis and treatment. Early intervention can assist in addressing issues that might present themselves later and ensure that your symptoms are relieved quickly.
The Services Available at Dr. Najam
At Dr. Najam’s Cochlear Implant Centre, you’ll be able to discover comprehensive care for all kinds of hearing loss involving conductive hearing loss. The services at Dr. Najam’s Cochlear Implant Centre include:
Earwax Removal
The medical professionals at Dr. Najam’s Cochlear Implant Centre use secure and practical techniques to remove excess earwax to enhance hearing.
In-depth Hearing Assessment
The medical professionals at Dr. Najam’s Cochlear Implant Centre perform thorough evaluations to establish the severity and kind of hearing loss.
Treating Ear Infections
Ear infections are taken care of by medical professionals, involving the prescription of antibiotics when required.
Why to Choose Dr. Najam’s Cochlear Implant Centre:
We recommend choosing Dr. Najam’s Cochlear Implant Centre to solve your hearing issues. They use the best technology and strategies to enhance your eustachian tube function and alleviate your symptoms. They can remove cholesteatomas to ensure that no more damage occurs and that your hearing is enhanced. They’ll also be able to set up an appointment for you to find a specially-made solution for your ear infection.