What is it about ?
Otitis media is inflammation of the part of the ear just behind the eardrum. The middle ear houses the ossicles (hammer, anvil and stirrup), which play a role in hearing. Inflammation is accompanied by secretion of fluid in the middle ear. This fluid may remain there for a few weeks after inflammation, but usually goes away on its own.
If there is still fluid left in the middle ear after 2-3 months, it is called “otitis media”. Over time, the liquid becomes thicker, more gooey, and more sticky. It can pull the eardrum inwards and reduce the mobility of the ossicles, and therefore hearing.
Serous otitis usually clears up on its own. It disappears within 3 months 1 time out of 2, and within the year in 95% of cases.
It is mostly found in children between 1 and 2 years old who contract acute otitis media following a cold. Most often, it is due to the fact that the eustachian tube (which connects the middle ear and the nose) is not yet fully formed and the child’s immune system is not yet functioning sufficiently. A birth defect, such as cleft palate, can also be the cause.
How to recognize it?
Often there are no symptoms. The child may hear less well after an upper respiratory infection. The situation was usually preceded by an episode ofotitis media with stuffy nose, fever and ear pain.
How is the diagnosis made?
The doctor may use an otoscope to examine the inside of the ear and possibly see changes in the eardrum or the presence of fluid in the middle ear.
If the doctor does not see any improvement after 3 months, he will refer you to have additional examinations and make the diagnosis. To do this, we carry out a tympanometry, a test that measures the mobility of the eardrum and the resistance of the middle ear system to transmitting sound. A tone is sent into the ear through a rubber stopper and its effect is measured in the middle ear. The examination is simple and painless.
What can you do ?
Upper respiratory tract infections need to be treated properly. Try to keep the child’s nose clear. If you notice that your child’s hearing is impaired, see your doctor.
What can your doctor do?
Various studies have shown that medication treatment has little or even no effect (antibiotics, anti-allergics, sprays, etc.), except to reduce the symptoms a little.
If there is a hearing loss, the specialist considers the possibility of laying drains (diabolos). In making this decision, he takes into account age, whether otitis affects only one ear or both, possible ear defects and the season. If the decision must be taken just before summer, we often prefer to wait a little longer, because spontaneous healings are more frequent in summer.
Want to know more?
- Hearing (video) – microbiologiemedicale.fr
- Ear (image) – Larousse
- Orifice of the eustachian tube in the nose (image) – Larousse
- Otitis (video) – Larousse
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